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Chapter Text

The warmth was violently ripped from him, and he landed hard, on a cold steel floor. Gasping for air with his new lungs.

“ Get up.” Growled a deep voice, it was painful to hear- he hadn’t used these ears before. He was still awake up, after what felt like over a an untold amount of time of sleep. “ I. said. get. UP. Demon.” There was a rough kick to his side with a foot; a paw with sharp claws, gashing his rips. Slowly, Alhazad opened his eyes. Two of them. In the middle of his face; his vision, his new vision wasn’t too great. It was different how he saw before..

“ What.. Where am I? What has happened…?” he coughed as he spit out liquid.

“ I located your little science project- summoned your vile soul inside, it and I have ripped you from you deep slumber to atone for your sins. You monster.”

The mad scientist glared around. He looked down at his now humanoid hands- his thoughts and memories slowly coming back to him. ‘ Oh.’ He though.

He had created a organism to download his memory on to. A humanoid much like that of the holmcrosses. But it was more organic than that of the others. This much he could tell. Feeling the body being weaker than he would have liked. This wasn’t set to activate just yet- it was still in his opinion; rather young. And the demon aspects of it hadn’t mutated fully. He looked like a normal human male, save for the red eyes, in his late 20s.. if that. It was a back up plan that he never even dreamed he’d need to use. He was sure during the war the demons would eviscerate the humans and their Guardians.. But they lost. There was no victory.

But the experiment must have worked. Because here he was, inside it. Frozen and naked and cold and wet, on the floor of one of his many laboratories. With the Guardian of courage, Justine glaring hatefully down at him. How Justine was able to enter his lab.. he had no idea. That was rather rude of him, to come in uninvited and trespass. His eyes darted to his reflection; it was too human for his standards. He looked too soft. His cold red eyes looking hard back at him. Not cut and strong like his brothers; granted he did have Zeikfried’s long black hair. His red eyes remained, and his skin was darker than that of Zeikfried’s. He itched at the rough beard around his face. This body needed to be groomed. The beard itched terribly. He was a mess.

“ Why did you revive me, guardian.” He asked, not even looking at the lion. He merely scanned the room of his lab. Which had been all but destroyed; save for the tube he was sleeping in. “ You could have ended my life, but chose to keep me alive. Why?”

“ To atone for what you have done! You will heal the wounds in the Van Burace family!” the lion snapped.

“ …Van Buraces? You mean Garrett Stampede and his brood? The man created more? His precious Elmina is alive, she remembers?”

“ No more questions. Get up!” he roughly grabbed the demon and forced him to stand. Weak from lack of food, Alhazad’s legs crumbled under him, and he planted hard on the floor face first. The Guardian harshly wrapped his paws around the demon lord, his claws slicing open his face. Alhazad yelped in pain. “ I’m going to enjoy breaking you, as you broke so many others. Before you set foot in the human world.” He sliced at the demon’s soft flesh. Alhazad glared hatefully at the demon.

“ If you do so, then I won’t be able to atone for my ‘sins’ because I’ll be dead you buffoon!” he snapped. Which was met with a harsh slap across the face. Alhazad winced in pain. Spitting blood out of his mouth. Justine forced some clothing on to him, a thawb from one of the many humans he abducted, followed by one of his robes. A pair of old boots shoved on his feet. They were too small, which caused his toes to be smashed, and they hurt.

“ Quiet.” The lion snapped once again, as he clothed the demon. “ You won’t be wandering around nude you perverted freak. With what little clothing you own.” Alhazad was at the very least, grateful to be covered. It brought him some warmth. He was then pulled- by his hair, towards the door. His feet weakly giving way under him.

“ Let me learn how to walk-”

“ There is no time for that!” as the lion god kicked the door to the outside world open. Harsh cold meeting the demon’s tender flesh. It was like a wave of pain, pins and needles, the cold bit right through him. The blinding light of the late autumn sun hurt his new eyes. He squeezed them shut, and limped to keep the guardian from dragging him by the hair. Once outside, he was able to look behind him. This lab had to have the one in the Arctica region. Where he created Lady Harken. He frowned as he heard the door of his hidden lab seal shut. Worried he would never be able to get inside again.

The Guardian of Courage paused, finally. Alhazad got a better grip on his surroundings, they were far enough away, and by a stream. He grabbed the demon by the throat, squeezing it to cause him pain. “ You will find your way to Arctica- and you will atone for all that you have done. You vile sinful creature. Find the Van Buraces and serve them! Apologize! And heal their wounds!” The lion spat on on the demon and then and then dropped him, harshly, on the ground below.

With out a trace, the Guardian was gone, and Alhazad collapsed, weak, and helpless.. He worried for his fate. There was no way he could travel to Arctica from here. He had no strength to do so on his own, and he had no idea where it was from this location, it had been so long. He tried to stand but it was futile.. And fell down once again; passed out on the cold frozen ground below. Weak from hunger, pain, as the cold air zapped him of all his energy. Worried surely he would parish before he even attempted as his second chance at life. The world went black, and quiet as he slipped into unconsciousness.

- - - -

“ I hate to see you go.” Jack frowned a he leaned on a post the supported the house. He watched his wife pack the last of her things. “ It’s gonna be hard with out you.” Elmina didn’t look up at him, she was checking to make sure everything was packed in her travel bag. All the last remaining things laid neatly out on the kitchen table. The red head was getting her farewells from Jack, Rudy, Hanpan, and the family pet; Darksong. All were gathered around her in the small kitchen. The only one missing from the group was Jack and Elmina’s adult child; who remained hidden in her room.

“ Silly, you and Erica will do just fine, you’ve been through way worse with out me there to baby sit the two of you. You are 41, and Erica is 23. You both are adults. Just for the love if the Guardians… Make sure you to remember to bathe, and wash your clothes, and change the bedsheets more than once a month.” She pointed to his chest. Jack backed up raising his hands, and smiled his shit eating grin as he closed his eyes.

“ This is why you need to stay!” he teased.

“ This is why you need to learn to take care of yourselves!” she lectured. “ You will be fine, and the people of Port Timney need me. With the very last of Alhazad’s abominations running wild in the south.. and reproducing,” she made a face of disgust. “ They need guards and trained swordsmen in order to kill them if they attack.”

“ Wouldn’t be so hard to pick the little bastards off if they’d man up and just train people to use ARMs. I’m not saying that Fast Draw is flawed, I’m just saying they could .. I dunno, shoot the little shits before they come too close to town?” Jack shrugged his shoulders. “ Besides, I still worry about you, are you sure you gotta grip on your amnesia? I’m just saying..”

“ Stop, Jack. I am fine, I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t sure I could. You know that. I’m needed elsewhere… We’ve talked about it. I’ll be okay.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

“ Besides, There’s still the Stigma that comes with an ARM, remember that, Jack.” Rudy chimed in. “ Not everyone is too keen on picking up the skill.”

“ Pussies.” He grumbled. Which lead him to getting a smack on the back of the head.

“ Stop using that word! Your daughter looks up to you, and will continue to pick up your bad habits.”

“ So?” he smiled wide.

The family pet, a large black dog, sighed and whined rolling his eyes at Jack’s argument. “ Even Darksong agrees you need to watch your mouth.” Hanpan noted at the other animal’s reaction.

“ You’re enjoying this.” Elmina huffed. Resting her hands on his shoulders and kissing him on the cheek. “ You’re a mess.”

“ Speaking of Erica, isn’t she going to wish you goodbye?” Rudy asked gently.

Elmina exhaled. “ She isn’t speaking to me, again.” The sword princes frowned. “ She’s mad at me for leaving, she hasn’t spoken to me all week. No matter how much I explain to her that this will not be like last time, she isn’t convinced. It’s like she switches back and forth- from being a reasonable young woman, to a troubled teenager.”

“ It’s the trauma, Elmina, you can’t be too hard on her. All things considered.” Hanpan noted from his spot on the counter. “ Maybe she’ll shape up and ask to visit you when she gets sick of the snow.” The wind mouse mused.

“ If she’s going to be a Knight, she can’t continue to act like this. After the hardships I’ve been through, and Jack most of all. We aren’t acting out our trauma like she is. She needs to-”

“ -And she was a child.” Hanpan said gently. “ Her little brain was still that of a child when all of that happened, you two were adults. Your brains were developed and you were able to process it better.” The wise wind-mouse noted.

“ Are you going to make a trip to visit your little son while you’re gone?” Rudy tried to change the subject by mentioning her other child. “ If you’ll be gone all winter you may as well pay Alician a visit. I’m sure Mariel would love the company.” Rudy asked. “ That kid misses you so much in the winter.”

“ I plan to, on the way back. I may even catch them on my way out. Him and Mariel only left a bit ago, before me, afterall.” Elmina smiled warmly. Her son, Alician, whom was born after the war was such a ray of hope. He had no idea what world he could have been born into. But there he was, part of the generation after the demons attacked. Blissfully unaware of what happened in the family, years ago…

Elmina exhaled. Sealing her bag shut and glanced up at the ceiling, trying to see if she could hear any movements; nothing.

She made her way up the stairs, towards Erica’s room and knocked on Erica’s door. “ Sweetheart, I know you’re awake…” she said at the door. “ I won’t force you to say goodbye. But just know that I love you. I am so proud of you. I will come back for you. I always do. You are stronger than you know, and you will, eventually. Get past this.” She placed her hand on the door. As if willing it to open and see those kind brown eyes looking back at her. But.. Over the past few years- Erica continued to get ‘sicker’ as the young blond called it. As if something inside her was foreign and made her miserable. The younger swordswoman couldn’t expel it. No matter how hard she tried.

The sword princes returned downstairs, to see Jack with his arms crossed at the bottom of the stairs glaring up at the steps. “ You want me to say something?”

“ Don’t.” Elmina cut him off. “ Let it go, darling.” She wrapped her arms around Jack, and hugged him tight. “ I’ve got to go, if I want to get through the pass before noon. The train will not wait for me.” she kissed him on the lips. “ I will send word, once I arrive. I promise.” She turned from him and knelt down to pet Darksong on his head. “ And you and Hanpan make sure these three don’t burn the house down while I’m gone-” she joked to the strange black dog who then jumped up and licked her on the side of her face. Elmina laughed as she pulled away from their faithful companion.

“ Good bye, Elmina.” Rudy smiled as he opened the door for her. Hanpan bowed as he took his place on Rudy’s shoulder. Jack smiled sadly.

“ Please return to me, I can’t bare the thought of losing you again.” His hand holding hers as she slipped out the door. They detached and he watched her climb atop a horse.

“ I promise, my love.” And with that kicked the horse’s sides and took off into the woodlands towards the mountain pass to the east.

----

Way in the northern part of the Continent there was a siege, beings from an unknown origin attacked the castle..

A woman with red hair threw open the door that lead to small bedroom. A very young girl just shy of her 6th birthday lay wrapped in furs and warm blankets, peacefully asleep. The embers in the fireplace keeping the small room warm.

“ Erica!” the red head shook the girl awake.

“ Mommy?” the girl mumbled sleepily.

“ Erica wake up!” Elmina snapped.

Her brown eyes shot opened to see her mother urgently wrapping warm clothes around her. “ Erica. Remember when Daddy and I showed you the servant’s hallways? Their secret passages behind the walls?”

“ Yes.” She mumbled as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.

“ I need you go to the one in your bedroom… Now go go! GO!” She shoved her inside a hidden door in her room. “ From here- I need you to run. Run outside. Do you remember how to get to sled dogs? Where he keeps them in the kennel?”

“ Yes Mommy. I know where the dogs are” The young blond girl nodded her head. Smiling. “ Do I get to go play with them!?” excited that her mother was allowing her to be awake at such a late hour.

“ No,” she sighed thinking of how to explain this. “ No. I need you to go run, as fast as you can, like all the monsters of Filgaia are after you, and I want you to hide with the dogs. Okay? If the dogs start barking and a bad person or a monster shows up. You go hide somewhere else. Alright?”

“ Yes mommy! Hide and go seek?” she smiled exited for this new game.

“ Good yes, you play hide and seek with the monsters. And do NOT come out unless it is Daddy and me, or Mister Coldbird, or someone else you know, comes looking for you. Okay? You stay RIGHT there.”

“ Why would Mister Coldbird come? Won’t you and daddy be coming to look for me?”

“ Do what I say, Erica! You hide there okay! Daddy and Mommy or someone will come for you. Now go, GO NOW!” She shoved the girl into the corridor behind the wall and shut and locked the door. Erica peaked through the cracks in the door. There she saw her mother confront a monster which was standing at the entrance to the small bedroom. Blocking Elmina from escaping. The Sword Princess charged at the monster as it sliced at her leg— Erica then, ran, as fast as she could. As if all the demons of Hell were at her heels..

The young woman’s eyes shot open, her breathing was heavy.. yet another nightmare about her childhood. She sighed and frowned, and focused on the notes that floated lazily by the window in the morning sunrise. It had been more than a decade since the demon war. Since the events that all but ruined her childhood. She wrapped the blankets around her tighter, as she heard her mother, father, Uncle Rudy, Hanpan, and her dog Darksong down stairs below.

Her mom was leaving them, again. Erica wasn’t happy about it. Why did she have to go? It made her so uncomfortable. Her dad was okay, but his short temper and harshness was only subdued by her mother. Not that her mother was any gentler- she’d lecture, a lot. They behaved in such a way that the war couldn’t have been that bad for her. She did none of the actual fighting.. She looked up to her mom, she wished she could be a strong as her. But she took more after her father- in a way. She admired him too. But their coldness towards her struggles upset her. Not to mention the others things that had happened to her when her parents weren’t around. Sometimes she wondered, again and again, if her family were the only good humans. Even the Guardians never answered her prayers.

She heard them talking downstairs, unable to make up their words, but then there was someone standing at her door, she leaned against it. Hoping to keep whom ever was on the other side out.

“ I won’t force you to say goodbye. But just know, that I love you. Okay? I will come back for you. I always do. You are stronger than you know, and you will, eventually. Get past this.” Hearing her mother tears ran down Erica’s face. How badly she wanted to swing open the door and beg her mother to stay, to please stay, that she needed her. But her own stubbornness and refusal to show her parents any sign of weakness or tears- kept her from saying goodbye. If her mom saw her sobbing like a child. Her father would only lecture her more, aided with her mother. And she’s slip into a deeper depression. She didn’t need that.

Finally she heard her mother walk away, the door open, the galloping of hooves. Rudy and her dad talking more. Then leaving through the back door- she hid by her bedroom window; out of sight. And saw all four of them leaving. With Darksong pulling supplies attached to a dog sled.

Good. She was alone in the house, and could sneak out with out anyone to ask her any questions.

Picking up some clothing off the floor, smelling it to see if it was clean enough to wear, she slipped into some fur lined pants, and a black tank top with thing strings that went over her shoulders. She preferred this; it left her arms free to move and fight with her sword better. Afterward she slipped on a long canvas duster- one just like her father had warn ages ago.

She picked up her sword in it’s sheath by the bedroom door, and hooked it on her belt. Made her way quickly down the steps; and grabbing her backpack which hung by the kitchen door.

Pausing for a moment. She threw in some dried jerky, as a treat for herself. Or to feed any of the weird monsters which may show up in her hidden place in the woods. As they often did.

Glancing over the house, thinking if there was anything else she needed... With a shake of her head, to keep her bangs out of her face, She slipped out the back door. Then ran to the woods before anyone in town could see her.

The hove prints from her mother’s horse went to the left, eastward, towards the mountain pass. Erica turned right, to the west.. spotting the bathhouse her family used. Built into the mountain, behind that was a path she had created to her little sanctuary out in the woods five or so years ago. That was her destination.

Once she was shielded by the bathhouse, she slowed her pace, walking calmly as she watched the secluded world around her. It was quiet here. Save for the random animal noises, and occasional monster. One peaked it’s head from a rock out cropping, she fished a piece of jerky and tossed it to the monster. The greenn sphix stared at her for a month, while it hung from it’s mouth. Twitched it’s tail, then scampered away with it’s prize. The tall pine trees rustled in the wind above her head, it sounded so peaceful here. Her own little safe haven. Far aware from her peers in town.

It bothered her that the monsters were nicer to her than the humans her age were. They kept their distance. Never attacked, and if she threw them food they did their thing and minded their business. Most of the monsters were small, and easy to kill. She never saw a point in slaying them. They just did their thing. They’d make eye contact, stop, then back up and stay away. As if saying they knew her, somehow. That they knew who she was and kept back. Some weird respect thing? She never did understand it. Maybe one told the others she would freely give them food; and they just let her be. If they attacked her, the food would stop. And surely the monsters didn’t want that.

There were rumors about the monsters in the bunker of the castle; those were the only monsters she really worried about. The floating heads, the jewels, and the chariot man… those were different. And while she never saw one her family and her returned. She wondered if they took residency in the castle bunker. It’s where the cocoon the Mother was stored, after all.

‘Whatever’ she thought to herself, she shook her head of the memory. She needed to practice fast draw.. She needed to be better, stronger…

A small nearly frozen stream bubbled and trickled to her right, it added to the soothing sound of the wind blowing in the trees.. She smiled at the large ice cycles that were starting to form. It would snow soon.

Rounding another batch of pines, she saw it then. Her dummy she made to practice on, a old bag of feed stuffed with straw and dirty. Finally she made it to her little hang out. Sliding off her back pack. She unsheathed her sword and stalked towards her make shift sparing buddy.

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The backpack lay where she dropped it, lazily, with out a care.

Her hands wrapped tightly around her blade as she practiced her attack, the straw-man stood tied to an old tall pine tree stump. An old pumpkin left over the the past harvest festival sat at on top. With a face crudely draw on it. She frowned at the face, annoyed with herself and her swinging mood all morning. Roller-coastering from highs and lows. She new the war was over, that there was nothing to fear, that the other that had happened to her were long past. The demons were dead. She had to be a stronger than this..

She stood back then launched towards it, swinging her right leg out for a jumping kick and the old gored went flying off it’s mount. Bounced deep into the woods by the nearly frozen stream. When it landed there was a faint grunt.

Erica froze.

Someone else was here.. She wasn’t followed. And wasn’t in the mood to deal with any drama that could come from dealing with another human, or the local young men who harassed her. She gripped her sword tight as she stalked quietly towards the source of the sound.

“ Who’s there?!” she called out.

There was cough, a rough one. Then another murmur, “ Nnngg..?” came the voice again. Erica walked closer, there she saw a man. He was limp in the snow. Wrapped up in what appeared to be a heavy white blanket- or rope? With a black thawb underneath.

She gasped, was this was a traveler? Very unprepared for the climate of Arctica. He looked like he was from the desert region? She quickly sheathed her sword and bent down to turn the man over. He weakly pushed her away.

“ Don’t worry, I’m going to help you.” She hushed as he protested and flinched from her warm touch. The young swords woman grabbed the man, and she wrapped one arm around her shoulder. She held him there and saw him slowly open his eyes, red and bright. They were curtained behind his long black bangs. There were cuts on his face, like that from an animal. Dry blood was caked in his long unkempt beard.

“ Hnng? I.. I fell.” The human form of Alhazad grumbled. Coming to. “ I was attacked—-left there, to die.” He collected his thoughts. Impressed he was able to form some sort of reasonable sentence.

“ Quiet, save your strength.” Erica told the man, she thought for a bit.. where to take him. He was in dire need and her house was at least a good mile away. She paused, then an idea came to her. “ I know of a place to warm you up. There’s a bath house near by. It has a hot spring, and even a sauna.. We can warm you up in there and I clean you up.” She frowned at the gashes on his face and arms.

“ I was attacked by a monster. It was sapient enough to talk.” He glared hatefully at the sky. “ He didn’t like the way I looked.” He limped. Still not used to walking on human legs. It felt awkward and weird and he hated how thought of another design. This body he has created himself that he now possessed wasn’t something he ever intended to use, it was merely a project to see if he could ‘grow’ demons. Nothing more than a soulless half living metal shell half organic. But now it was his, and had his likeness and his eyes.

Erica aided him back to the bath house. “ It’s just ways away, don’t worry about walking, I got you. Okay?” she worried. The blonde woman hated seeing anyone suffer. No matter who it was. He leaned on her, and she was concerned by how much he weighted. He was heavy. But slim, it made no sense. She grabbed her book bag with her remaining free hand and carried it with them.

The bathhouse she passed earlier was near by. This was one the least occupied. And it was the one her family often used. The small cabin built into the mountain side. It was a hot spring, and had a sauna room. When they discovered they could process the steam some years ago in order to heat the water… and power some of their machines. The small cabin was built. One of many in this town. Some people would use them to bathe in once every few days. The benefit to living in the region were all the thermal hot springs. Not every town was blessed with such a treat. It was one of the small treasures that they had living in the arctic.

She nudged the door open with her boot, it was empty. Good. She guided the strange man to a seat and attempted to disrobe him.

“ Woah wait! what are you doing!?” his eyes went wide, his energy and life coming back to him inside the warm cabin. He weakly pushed her away.

“ I’m trying to help you?”

“ There’s no need to unclothe me, it isn’t polite for me to expose myself-”

“ At least let me tend to your wounds.” She lectured. Erica took a rag from a clean towel bin. Soaked it in the hot water and brushed his hair away from his face. She then was able to get a better look at him. He wasn’t too much older than her, his red eyes burned through her. She paused because she swore she had seen those eyes before- maybe it was because they looked like Rudy’s? There was a very strange feeling that she had seen them before. But couldn’t put her finger on it. The memory lied buried somewhere..

She gently cleaned out a scrape on his cheek, his beard was a mess. He looked like he hadn’t had it trimmed in months.. Maybe years. She glanced around the wash room- and found some old blades her father used to shave and groom himself. “ Let me clean you up a bit.” He noticed himself in a mirror across the room. He looked like a vagabond, a mountain man, totally inappropriate for his character.

Erica dug around looked through some of her father’s things left on a shelf by a mirror. And quickly whipped up some shaving cream. The demon lord fought his instinctive reaction to fight back. But.. She was so gentle, and her hands were so warm. He watched as she groomed his beard in the mirror. And much to his surprise; she did a decent job. Leaving him with a rather dashing goatee. He smiled weakly at himself. As much as he had loathed his appearance as a demon, this prototype of a body he created wasn’t all that bad.

He relaxed himself and allowed her to tend to him. Slowly enjoying her gentle touch. People had gone out of their way NOT to touch him his entire life. And here this young woman- who looked vaguely familiar- gently took care of him. Cleaning out his cuts, getting the dried blood out of his hair and beard. His first reaction was to push her away, but it felt.. Nice. He leaned into it warm hand as she washed the cream off his face..

“ You’re a mess.” She laughed gently.

“ This.. Isn’t the most sanitary environment.” He brushed his long hair out of his eyes. “ Thank you for helping me, back there.” He wanted to ask why, what was her motive. She had to have had one.

“ Don’t mention it, what kind of future Knight would I be if I didn’t help those in need.” Alhazad had lots of questions, because this seemed quite strange. Why would there be Knights in the Arctic?

“ What is your name?” he asked calmly.

“ Erica,” she replied. “ Erica Van Burace.”

“ Huh, hmm. Of Jack Van Burace and the-”

“ -Yeah,” she quickly replied. “ My dad was involved in the war, helped save Filgaia, all of that..” The war between the demons. ‘All of that’… I mean, that was a lot after all. But after all the death and destruction she saw, there was no need to celebrate it. “ I was little when the war between the demons happened. Just a kid.” She sighed deeply. “ I’m.. Against wars, honestly. I just.. There are no victors in a war, just a losing side and the side who survives..”

“ If that isn’t true. I don’t know what is.” Alhazad exasperated. “ Hmm.. That must have been pretty terrifying for a child to go through, why didn’t he let you stay somewhere safe.. Perhaps Adelhyde..? Or else where. But.. May I ask you this; did you always have that belief, even when the demons invaded?” he was puzzled by her apparent self-awareness most humans didn’t reflect so deeply.

“ I, I dunno. Pops said that the demon Mother wanted to end all life, and that the demon knights had tricked him and Cecilia and Uncle Rudy into slaying Mother. But after that- I don’t see why the demons and the humans couldn’t have made some sorta mutual agreement to share the planet. Filgaia is decaying, and… I don’t know. No humans are able to solve it. Maybe the demons could have. They wanted a new home. One of the demons was so freakishly wise, and smart.” She trailed off. “ Anyway, Dad’s pretty okay after it all, I still get nightmares sometimes.. that’s why I still live at home. Kinda embarrassing you know? I’m 23. But I get these horrible nightmares and the doctors expressed I could never live alone. I might have been better off, if left somewhere safe. But Dad was just afraid I’d be taken away by the demons if I wasn’t with in his sights. So unless it was *really* dangerous, I was usually tagging along. I saw all kinds of horrid things..”

“ No child deserves that. It was all very dangerous.”

“ But you’re not that much older than me.. do you remember any of it? I mean, what did you see…? Where are you from? It was what..” She looked at her hand and counted on her fingers. “ Ten or so years ago, I think. Give of take.”

“ I was traveling by that time, so I saw many of the things that happened. I was never in the same town long. I’m sure we crossed paths..” that part was true.

“ I don’t remember ever seeing you- though. But.. I don’t really remember much about that day.” She flinched. “ Mom says I need to be a better warrior for it- but.. She wasn’t even there. She has no idea what happened. Oh damn, look at me. Dumping on you about my silly problems- are you okay?”

“ I will be fine, if I could only get something to eat, and-,

“ You will need warmer clothing. I can pay for that, once we get you in some proper warm clothes, you’ll feel better. You can stay with us tonight if you want, it’s nicer than the in… and we have indoor plumbing! We have plenty of room. Mom’s outta town, so.” She rambled. Alhazad mused to himself how her selling point was running water win in the home. Just how far behind was Arctica? He wondered.

“ Thank you, dear one. You are too generous.” He smiled weakly. If this was Jack’s kid her compassion sure as hell didn’t come from him. Perhaps this nature came from her mother..? No, not at all. Maybe? Or was it something she taught on herself on her own?

Eric then pulled some dry meat from her back pack and offered the black haired man a piece. “ Eat some of this, it’ll help. I dried it myself.” The demon took the jerky and chewed on it. The taste was amazing and he eagerly ate it as fast as he could. She handed him another piece; he tried to contain himself. But he was so hungry. She smiled and handed him the entire bag, as he finished it off while she tended to him. Brushing the knocks and kinks out of his very long black hair.

“ How long have you been growing your hair out.”

“ It’s never been cut.” He said in between bites.

“ I can see that, it’s very nice.” She complimented the demon.

“ You didn’t tell me your name.” Erica pointed out. Alhazad stopped and held his breath, hissing in through his teeth, well. Drat. He didn’t think of a name. His mind dug around, something that would suit him.

“ Oh, I apologize, how very rude of me. My name is Aubrey.” He lied.

“ You.. Remind me of someone.” She looked into his bright red eyes putting her index finger on her lip, and the demon lord froze under her gaze. “ Hmm, oh well, whatever. Maybe we did meet during my travels during the war, we just don’t remember it!”

“ Perhaps we did.” Alhazad looked to the side, his own memories coming back to him. He didn’t mention anything about it and chose to remain quiet.

Erica aided him as he slipped back into his old robe, she stared at it for a moment. Knowing the pattern from somewhere… she shrugged it off, and She offered her shoulder and arm for support as the couple walked into town.

Chapter Text

Erica peered across the road. Spotting a clothing store, she escorted him over to it. She walked in first, followed by Aubrey. He glanced around the dimly lit room, leaning against the counter wondering what he could wear, rather than what he'd like to wear.

" Aubrey," she called out, " Come here. I found something for you." She was showing a trench coat like hers, only more elaborate, gothic in design and black, holding a nice black shirt, and black jeans with silver designs on them. As much as Aubrey wanted the coat and the outfit she selected. He knew it would only help people recognize his dark aura. With a regretful sigh, he turned the black long coat down, shaking his head. The disguised Alhazad knew he needed something brighter color to mask his aura. Glancing over at another rack of clothing, he spotted something that caught his eye. Walking towards the rack, he saw a lavender long coat, with a matching shirt, vest, and pants. He knew this bright color would better mask his aura, and he liked the outfit.

" So you like that one, eh?" Erica asked, hanging the other coat back it its place.

" I suppose so." he replied, faking a smile. He did not want to discard his robe completely, but he knew it was necessary in order to fool Jack.

" Don't worry about the price," Erica commented, " just go in there," she continued, pointing to a fitting room. " And try it on."

Aubrey made his way over to the fitting room.

“ Oh and you’ll need shoes, too.” She looked around, and handed him a pair of black boots. “ These will be way more comfortable than what you have on. Do you need help?” she wondered, seeing his strange gate as she worried about his injures.

“ I’ll be fine.” He assured her.

Erica waited for about fifteen minutes, which felt like forever, for him to finally come out. Part of her wanted to cheek on him. But she decided to give the strange man his privacy.

The fitting room door creaked open, and he walked out. Erica smiled at him, pleased at his new look. And yet, she felt something was missing. " You need something else. Here take this," she said handing him a neckerchief from her backpack with a silver tie holder. It looked it was handmade with great care. It had a scorpion on it, and on the scorpion’s back was a small teal jewel. The beads at the end of the strings were also teal, and silver, and a mix of other various woods.. “ Mom got it for me the last time her and dad traveled to Baskar - I.. Don’t need to wear it, haha. I mean, I like wearing clothing where it is easy to use my blade. The extra stuff isn’t nesseaery..” She laughed scratching the back of her head. “ I dunno, traveling on foot and never really having a home to keep stuff from when I was a kid till after the demon war. I don’t get too attached to things I can buy. Mom got me that and I’ve never used it. But she picked out the scorpion one because I like monsters and bugs and creepy things so much.” She laughed again. “ I mean, it’s for when I dress up, which I never do. Even though dad said I could wear a suit if I wanted to, too bad for him and mom, it isn’t ever happening.” Sher nervously rambled to the strange man.

The recently transformed Alhazad let her wrap it around himself, and he glanced at the mirror. He still was not use this his new refection. His eyes were his last concern. He looked over to another stand, and saw a row of sunglasses on display. "Of course!" he thought to himself. He took a pair from the stand, and placed them him his head.

He looked rather handsome in his new suit. And the neckerchief looked nice as it pulled it together as a final touch.

“ So.” he said as she tightened up the scorpion tie holder. Chuckling because in reality it actually resembled his true form. Had it not been a gift from her, he likely wouldn’t have worn it. But.. He doubted it would blow his cover. And it was an excuse to let her touch him… “ You aren’t one for fancy jewelry of lavishing things; your partner must find you easy to court.” Aubrey asked, surely Elmina’s daughter wouldn’t have any problems finding a lover. Erica bit her lip.

“ Oh, uh. I don’t have a partner; not a boyfriend or a girlfriend, no one. I’m single. Always have been. Heh.” She shrugged.

“ Well then,” he took her hand and kissed it. “ That changes today, hmm?” he asked. Erica blushed and giggled a bit. God this was embarrassing.

“ I’d.. I’d really like that.” She grinned. Once she was done embarrassing herself. Which he seemed to revile in. She had his neck tie straight and got a good look at him. " Perfect!" Erica said, complimenting the strange young man. " Now lets get this stuff paid for and I can take you home." she said with a smile, as she placed the amount needed on the counter. The store owner her and daughter- which helped the owner run the store, looked at one another. Erica was known to buy the cheapest, last season clothing, she never cared about her own appearance. But made sure her guest was well taken care of. She had never been seen with anyone before besides her family.

“ Now why can’t I find a boyfriend like her.” The store owner’s daughter rolled her eyes, before going to the storage room.

Aubrey stood with his old robe neatly folded in his arm, along with the old boots and the old thwab. “ Where can we put these..” He said to himself out loud.

“ I will buy all of them off you.” The store owner chimed in. Looking back at the new couple.

“ No thank you, I need to keep the robe.. But...” He quickly interjected; he either had to keep it hidden or destroyed. If it were to be found - rumors would fly, as soon as it was recognized, and it would be the end of him. “ You may have the thwab, and my old boots. I do not need them.” He sat them on the counter. The clerk took them and studied them.

“ Boy, You are a long ways from home, traveler.” The clerk pointed out, looking at the make of his old clothing and then handed him some gella in return. Aubrey offered the money back to Erica, but she shook her head.

“ You keep it, it’s yours.” She smiled, as she pushed his hand down. She stalled for a moment. " Oh, You can put the robe in my backpack. We can take it home, and you can decide what to do with it then?"

Aubrey wasn't sure if it was a mistake or not, yet he placed his robe in the girls backpack. She pulled the string tightly closed. Keeping it secure inside.

" Well then lets get going." Erica said, walking him out of the store.

The new couple made their way through the streets of the rebuilt Arctica. Erica turned to the stranger. "So," she asked, " where are you from?"

"I'm from... out of town.." he replied, knowing he would have to fabricate a false background soon.

"Oh," she asked, noting the morose look on her new companion's face. " Do you have anywhere to stay? What about your parents, your mom maybe she can help?" Erica asked in concern.

A frown appeared on Aubrey's face " I'd rather not talk about my mother," he muttered, still holding the Mother in contempt after all those years.

" You can then stay with me, then," Erica asked in suggestion. " I am sure Dad wouldn't mind."

They continued walking together. The couple were less then a block away from Erica's home. Suddenly, an iceball sailed from nowhere, nailing Erica upside. She immediately spun around, looking for the source of the object, when they were rudely interrupted. " Who did that!?" she demanded.

" Oh look," a voice Erica badly wanted to forget spoke, " It’s that freak show!" Aubrey turned sharply too. The insult was one he had herd countless times in his old life.. Why on Filgaia would they use that on Erica?

" Joe." she hissed, seeing the arrogant young man.

" The feral beast woman is about to attack!" said Joe's friend, Clark. Beside them stood a third man named Mike. All three were apart of the group who only added to her trauma, and the harassment carried on from her teenage years well into adulthood.

She lowered her head. Gnashing her teeth.

" Why are they still hurting me," she thought to herself. " What did I ever do to them? I'm the daughter of a hero, I’m next in line to be the sword princess, I’ve done nothing but help this town.. What else do I need to prove to them?! Are they still believing the old rumors about me?!" she let out a long growl. Then replied. “ Why in the hell won’t you just leave me the fuck alone-” Aubrey grabbed her should, cutting her off, and stood in front of her, his frown clearly visible.

" Is that any way to treat a lady, you uncouth reprobates?" he asked the trio, annoyed by their immature antics.

" Uncouth what," Clark asked, choking on the strange man's words.

" What's a reprobate? " Joe asked his friend, also unfamiliar with Aubrey's language.

" Talk normal, you moron." Mike demanded.

" WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!" Aubrey shouted, livid at them for insulting his intelligence. The three men shivered in fear, knowing there was something different about Erica's companion. " Now," he continued, " Either you simpletons begin treating dear Erica with respect, or I'll give you the discipline you clearly didn't receive from your parents when you were welps! What shall it be?"

" What's a simpleton?" Joe asked.

" Hey, you can't talk to us like that! Drifter!" Mike snapped in indignation. "Quit using bizarro words!"

" They're only bizarre to people of menial intellect." Aubrey replied, disgusted by their obvious stupidity, " Like yourselves. Now DEPART!" he growled.

Joe and Mike fled in one direction, while Clark ran to his home.

Stumbling into his home, Clark made a quick move to find his wife.

" HONEY!" he began, panting from exertion. "This weird guy in town called me a reprobate! What's a reprobate?"

Clark's wife turned to face her husband. " Why'd he call you that," she asked.

" Uh......." Clark stalled.

" Were you harassing Erica again? You are grown ass man. What on Filgaia is the matter with you?!" she asked sternly. She rolled her eyes, fearing another visit from Erica's father.

" Uh, no!" Clark smiled. "Not at all!"

"So now you resort to perjury," a voice asked from behind.

Clark turned around to see Aubrey, standing in the open doorway.

"AHHHH!!! What are you doing here?" Clark yelped. He was pretty sure no one was following him, and was surprised to see the strange man standing behind him.

" I couldn't help but hear your whining, lying tongue," Aubrey sneered. He glanced towards Joe's wife, then back to Joe. " Lying to your own wife!?" he commented. "Disgraceful. You should be a man, taking care of your wife- rather than acting like an adolescent! Pull your own weight with in this house hold!"

" Lying?" Clark's wife asked coldy. “ He also has a point! Why aren’t you looking for work?!”

" Uh…" Clark gasped.

The former Alhazad laughed to himself as he left the house. " Looks like I still have the magic touch." he thought to himself. He soon encountered Erica again, who was looking at him with wide eyes.

" No one has ever stuck up for me like that before." she said, her eyes tearing up at the fact someone out side of her family cared for her. Without warning, she hugged him. " Thank you so much." she said. “ It feels good, to be.. appreciated and accepted.” She signed into the strange mans chest, a few tears ran down her face. A lot of emotion was hitting her at once. She hated herself for being so easily stricken to tears. But this felt different. Her heart felt lighter. She felt… loved.

" Don’t shed your tears for me, Little wolf." he said to her, lifting her chin from his chest and wiping her tears away with his thumb. "Now," he continued, " Where is this home of yours?"

Erica found herself blushing at Aubrey's words. No one had ever called her a any kind of pet name like that before, outside of her family. Little wolf worked, she picked up on the play on words- Fenril was from Fenrir, the old wolf in stories from long ago. Coldbird was called “Old Wolf” and she liked how he had turned the beastile insult the men from earlier had used, And he changed it into something positive, and used in a pet name. It gave her power. But occurred to her that she never mentioned the Fenril Knights at all. Had she?

“ …You know about of Chief Coldbird?” Erica asked.

“ Doesn’t everybody.” He quickly covered his tracks. “ The Chief Knight who gave it his all during the attack on Arctica?”

She smiled wide at the complement. She then remembered his request and led the way of her home.

Rudy laid on the sofa in Jack's home. He had traveled and lived with Jack ever since the war was over. Rudy was exhausted from the days work. Rebuilding a castle and being a ARMs master was not by any means an easy job, even if he was a Holmcross. It was warm and peaceful inside the Van Burace home.

Darksong, lay next to him on the floor. He too tired from helping pull supplies back and forth. Why the dog seemed more readlity to aid Jack in rebuilding the castle rather than being a free roaming dog. No one couldn’t have guessed. But it was nice to have an extra set of hands, or paws rather. Than have someone else break their back moving supplies. It’s what huskies were bread for, after all.

Erica had no interest in being near or working on the castle, with the expectation of the basement.. She was never allowed near it as a child. When ever she was near the castle, she had questions. She wanted to explore parts of it that were off limits. The temptation was too great. So Jack kept her away from it.

Rudy yawned and patted Darksong on the head before wrapping him self in a blanket and drifting back to a deep sleep.

Erica stood at the door, breathing heavily. She had no idea how her father would react to her bring a boy.. No a man over. She had never brought anyone over before. This was going to be a first. She smiled at Aubrey and reached into her pocket to get her house key.

" I hope you don't mind our dog, or our friend Rudy." she said nervously as she unlocked the door. " Rudy is very quiet and a little shy, please don’t make a big deal about how he saved Filgaia, he’s VERY humble… Our dog Darksong, well he is really large for a dog. You never know who he likes or hates when it comes to people. He just watches them like a hawk. People find it creepy.. He has this hard gaze, and doesn’t act like any dog I’ve ever seen. " Erica rambled nervously as she opened the door. This was all new territory for her, her new friend, her first real friend outside of her family. A boyfriend, rather. She tossed her backpack on the sofa besides the door. Alhazad watched it- knowing he needed to make sure no one else in the house looked inside. Hopefully they minded Erica’s belongings. “ I found him when we first moved in, back when he was a puppy, and begged my dad to let me keep him. So, naturally, I won dad over. And we have a pet.” She carried on.

Aubrey let her walk in first, and he followed close behind, shutting the door. Rudy was sound asleep. The former demon scientist smiled at the Holmcross as he slept. Darksong, on the other hand, was right next to Aubrey, sniffing him out. Snorting as dog sometimes do when they catch the scent of someone. He looked up, and actually saw the red eyes behind Aubrey's sunglasses. Shocked by his discovery, Darksong backed away and glared at the strange man. His blue eyes actually had a hint of accusation in them. It was like he was saying, " I know who you are." Aubrey petted Darksong on the head, and added a smirk in return. He knew the wolf was much more than he seemed, and made a mental note to keep an eye on him.

The downstairs was open, with thick 8x8 studs which supported the beam that ran across the house, supporting the upstairs. A large beam with through the center above their heads, a wire with lights hung haphazardly and strung through out the house. No doubt that was Jack’s fine work.. There was a living room with a fire place to the left, the steps upstairs were to the far right of the house- and hugged the wall. Pictures lined the wall up the stares of the family. Elmina in a waitress outfit and Jack, with a younger Erica. Elmina again hugging Erica as a pre-teen, other pictures of her and her mom.. Mostly a time line of her growing up with her parents. One picture of inside a hospital, with a small child and a smiling Elmina and a unconscious Jack in the chair beside her. A picture of Erica again with her arms wrapped around Darksong. There were a few newer pictures. Aubrey noted that anything past the age of late teen. A spark was missing in Erica’s eyes. But he noticed it returned in the present world whenever he spoke to her. Wood paneling decorated the inside of the house old. There was a couch by the steps- where Rudy had slept. The living room had a small table in it, with a chair, and other furniture, one of which was another couch on the front side of the house by the door. The kitchen was at the back of the house.

In the living room, a small with a few books was near the fire place, and creatures mounted on displays were on the top shelf. Of his own monsters that he made, some of which were in the process of being taxidermied.

“ Oh uh — please don’t mind my little projects. Some of the monsters I thought were really cool looking. So when ever I find a dead one… I kind of gut it and mount it like it’s alive again. … I know they were creations one of the demons, his name was Alhazad, that he made.. But..” She walked over towards one. Picking it up. “ You can’t even begin to tell what kind of animal it was before.” She looked it over, and presented it to Aubrey. “ I like studying them, figuring out where he started and stopped. You can’t even tell. And… hahah, I think they’re kind of cute, in a ‘its so ugly it’s cute’ kind of way. Mom and Dad tolerate it, if dad kills one he thinks I’ll find interesting he brings it home, if it’s cold enough where it won’t rot. At first mom freaked out- but.. They’re happy it makes me happy- and I make gella doing it. You don’t think it’s weird do you?” she wrapped her arms around herself rubbing her toned biceps, fearing the harsh judgment that came from nearly everyone who saw her little projects. That was besides Misses Emma.. Who often bought them from her, or traded her for neat gadgets.

“ Not at all.” He smiled. Enjoying her complement. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and felt her relax. “ You must have a really gentle touch, I can’t even tell this was gutted and stitched back together. Looks almost a live.” He could tell where she made her marks. But only because he knew his creations well. But.. He had to admit, she was good.

She smiled. “ Thank you! I sometimes draw them too..” She laughed nervously. “ I’ll find them in the woods where I found you, wandering around. They look so scared.. And lost. I kind of almost feel bad for them, you know? They’re just looking for their master.. And he’s dead now. It isn’t their fault all this happened.. So I sneak them food sometimes.”

“ Is that why you had those dried strips of meat in your pack?” he asked. She smiled sheepishly.

“ Maybe…” she turned away and looked back at her collection. “ I… sometimes I felt like they were my only friends. I couldn’t tell my parents about it. Dad would flip out, considering how many he has killed. But when I’d find them in the woods, I’d talk to them and hand the them scraps. Almost have them trusting enough to take the meat out of my hands.” She trailed off.

“ That’s very kind of you, haven’t any attacked you though?”

“ No.. That’s the weird thing. One could kind of talk. It growled; ‘ I know your mother. I wish you no harm.’ And it ran off. Maybe word got around that I feed them. So they leave me alone.” She realized how she had spoke in length about this strange thing she did, and this man just listened. And seemed to enjoy himself. “ Oh my guardians- I’m talking about feeding Alhazad’s left over monsters and here you are starving— come on in the kitchen with me.”

The kitchen was behind a small railing that split the living area and the kitchen. It was standard. About as long as the house, and ten feet wide. There was a sink with running water. A wood burning stove, and a small ice box. Cabinets had dishes and food in them, and more food lay on the counter. Herbs hung from the walls. And a small window by the sink had other things growing in pots in the shelf below it. There was a back door, with a window beside it that lead outside to the back yard.

Darksong entered behind them. Erica bent down to pat her beloved pet on the head.

" See Darksong," Erica said to her pet, " this is my new friend, Aubery." She blushed as she held Darksong in place so Aubrey could pet him. Darksong snarled at the name Aubery. He did not wanted to be touched again by the demon who'd slaughtered his comrades, so he did his best to wiggle away. He returned to Rudy's side and laid back down, coldly eying the person he knew better as Alhazad across the room.

" I’m sorry.. Try not to worry, Aubrey," Erica apologized for her dog’s rude behavior, " that's kinda normal for him. He hates strangers. He thinks everyone is going to hurt me or Mom."

" I see…" Aubrey answered, also giving Darksong a cold look. He lowered his sunglasses, exposing his narrowed red eyes. " I will not be undone by another flea-bitten cur," he thought to himself. He glanced around the room. They had a rather nice house, large enough for all four of them including their little 'pet'. Erica pulled out a seat for him at the table.

" Sit down," she said with a smile, " and I'll get you something to eat."

Aubrey blinked his crimson pupils. " Shouldn't I be telling her to sit down," he thought. Smiling at the opportunity which had presented itself, he walked beside her. " Let me help you with that." he said, grabbing the log and placing it into the wood burning stove, privately amused at what he saw as a primitive form of heat supply. Erica was very pleased, immensely surprised at how nice he was towards her. Once they managed to get a small fire going, she started to heat up leftovers from the night before.

" Now.. what was I asking you before," she asked, lost in thought for a moment.

Aubrey just cocked his head, waiting for her to finish her sentence. " Oh yeah! You wouldn’t mind staying with us until we got you back on your feet and a place of your own?" she offered. “ I’d love to have you here.” She blushed toying with the string of her tank top. “ You’re very sweet, smart- and I could use the company.” She felt silly, she had read about this and heard about love and crushes before. Never in a million years did she think it would happen to her. And yet here it was.

" I'd love to stay here," the man replied with a sweet grin. " You've treated me better then any other hu... eh, person, that I've met." Before Erica could reply, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Erica was in a state of shock, standing there frozen for a moment. " Is something wrong, my heart?" he asked.

" My heart?" she started with a blank look. " No one has ever treated me like this before..." She looked down at the ground.

Aubrey released her hand, and lifted her face up to his own, so she was looking directly at him. " It's rare to have a creature who is as beautiful as you, and has the same beauty in their heart. And Erica, my dear, I am more then honored to stay with you."

Erica turned a bright red. " Thank you," she said flustered with her self. She let out a light laugh. "You know, you could stay here with us forever if you wanted, there will be plenty of room in the castle when its done. Dad and mom plan on staying there, and letting me keep the house. My father says I am going to be the next Sword Princess."

The disguised demon chuckled to himself at that.

" Maybe you could work in town, too," Erica continued, unaware what her new friend was thinking, "hecht, even live-"

" --Guardains what a day... I swear," a familiar voice muttered as the kitchen door swung open suddenly. Aubrey's head spun around sharply, and saw his old nemesis, Jack Van Burace, entering the kitchen and collapsing into a chair at the table. He quickly put his sunglasses back into place before Jack noticed him. " You know," Jack went on, sounding quite exasperated, " these idiots in this town can't tell the difference between a two by four and a freaking brick if it fell on them! And don't even start about the new knights. I've never meet such sorry excuse for swordsmen! They’re pushing 30 and yet they haven’t a clue. What’s wrong with this younger generation— Elmina and I were knighted when we were what, 18?!" he looked up to see the man his daughter was attached to. " Who the hell-" Jack asked himself. " My daughter manged to find someone to socialize with other than the dog and her weirdo stuffed monsters?" he thought to himself. " And on top of that, a man?” Jack looked to his daughter, a bit perturbed after seeing a stranger in his house. " Who's this, Erica?" he asked.

"Daddy," Erica started with a happy look, which really surprised Jack, " this is Aubrey," she continued, motioning to her new friend. " He... umm... err... is saying here with us for a little while-"

Aubrey coughed a bit at Erica's complete lack of subtlety, and noted it was a trait she shared with her father.

" He is?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow. " Why wasn't I told of this?" Jack laughed to himself, amazed at Erica's audacity. However, she looked happier than he'd ever seen her, and guessed her new friend was the reason. " So Aubrey," Jack asked, sitting up looking at the young man, " Whats your story, son? I haven't seen you around here."

" I'm from out of town…" Aubrey began. His eyes glanced at Erica, then to Jack, though neither noticed it under his shades. " Ever since an.. Disagreement between my mother and elder brother, who she had brainwashed.. I had to leave for my own sanity and safety, since I was still a child- Mr. Maxwell took me in, at Court Seim. I stayed there for a long while, then finally left a few years ago... I tried my hand at being a Treasure Hunter." He looked at his hand, the fingers bent in a causal manner. " Alas, living on my own has proven far more difficult than I'd expected." He let out a sigh, one he knew was faked, though he hoped it would fool the elder Van Burace.

" A know-it-all, huh," Jack commented. " I've met a few of those. At least you're not one of those clowns who keeps harassing Erica. They should've outgrown that five years ago." Jack groaned to himself, looking to the ceiling. “ So you were a runaway living at Court Seim? We may have crossed paths back then years ago. Huh? You handling what happened with the demons okay? Man.. What Alhazad did, was pretty messed up. I had hoped those kids handled that alright when we left..”

“ Oh, I am fine.” The demon smiled. “ It takes more than that to break me, my mother was far worse than Alhazad could ever be.. And, Mr Van Burace Perhaps we did meet back then. As I was telling your daughter earlier. We just don’t remember it, seeing what all happened that day” Alhazad glanced to the side, hoping his story was believable. The trick to a lie was always putting a hint of truth in it. They did run into one another that day, all of them. It wasn’t a complete lie.

" Daddy?" Erica asked in a tentative voice, " Can I teach him? He can.. ya know... maybe..be my..." She paused for a moment. " Hand Guard?"

" Your what!?" the disguised Demon Lord asked, looking to Erica. He knew the term, he knew what it meant. It caught him so off guard- the question itself self sounded like he didn’t know what one was. But his question was more of shock.

" Oh yeah." Jack said, knowing Aubrey was new to Arctica, " You've never heard. It's a role in the Fenril Knights' order. The Hand Guard protects the Sword, who leads the attack. Those were the roles Elmina and myself played years ago." A sad sigh escaped his lips, as painful memories came back to him.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow at the concept of becoming a Fenril Knight. Once Jack got over his sadness, he had a similar expression. Erica wondered what was going on in their heads, since they seemed to be in nonverbal agreement about the subject. Suddenly, Jack then broke out laughing and feel on the floor with a loud thud. The former Alhazad frowned slightly, not surprised by Jack's demeanor.

" What?" Jack said incredulously, still stifling a laugh. " This pretty boy?!" he asked, looking towards Aubrey, sizing him up. " Maybe with some training." he said in observation. " Sorry Aubrey, I have still to get to know you."

" Understandable." the strange man replied. He turned back to the younger Van Burace. " Erica.." he paused, " I shall protect you either way, though I don't believe I'm truly suited for swordsmanship."

Erica looked a bit disappointed, but quickly brushed it off.

" So Mr. Van Buace," the former Demon Lord said to his old nemesis, " Since I shall be residing here, mind if your lovely daughter showed me around?" Aubrey hoped to get away from Jack, and have a more personal and private talk with Erica.

Jack sighed to himself. " You kids.." he said under his breath. " Well... yeah sure, go ahead." he said to the couple. " I'll finish heating up this soup for the two of you. It looks like Rudy is not moving any time soon. And with Elmina out of town we will have plenty of room. Go head kids, run off," he finished, waving his right hand in dismissal. Aubrey mused at the fact he addressed him as a kid. Erica was 23, he guessed the body wasn’t that much older than hers, doing the math in his head, that made Jack and Elmina in their 40s. If it had been that long since the war. So Jack wasn’t to terribly old to fight, neither would Cecilia, if it came to that.

Erica fled for the steps to the second floor, with Aubrey in hand. Before she could place on foot on the steps, Darksong was right behind them.

" What is wrong with your pet?" the black haired asked in a teasing voice. Darksong glared at him and darted up stairs to Erica's bed room.

" Guess he is just tryin' to protect me," she said, leading her friend upstairs.

The second floor had three bedrooms: Rudy's on the right, with another smaller room beside his; which Alhazad assumed belonged to the younger child in the pictures. No one was inside. He dismissed it. Jack and Elmina's which was at the very end of the hall, and Erica's which was right by the steps on the left. The new couple went into the latter room. Erica's room had two windows, bed, and desk. Her room was cluttered with odd and ends. Sketches of monsters she saw, other weird things, Some clothing here and a old ragged doll sat on her dresser which she had sewn felt on and rabbit fur to make it look like a werewolf.

" This is it," she said as he followed her inside. " I hope you don't mind the mess. I didn't think anyone was coming over," she continued with a sigh. " Well, frankly, no one ever has." She turned back to him, smiling once more. " But I am glad you are here." She hugged him tightly. Aubrey was starting to like the compassion she was giving him, the compassion that he had never truly gotten before from anyone, human or demon.

Darksong was laying on Erica's bed, watching every move the newcomer made.

With a big long yawn, Erica collapsed on her bed. "Geez, it's been a long day." she said wearily. The young woman offered her new friend a seat of her bed, much to Darksong's chagrin. He got off and laid on the floor, still watching Aubrey.

" You look exhausted." Erica said, sliding behind him, rubbing the incognito demon's shoulders. Part of him wanted to pull away, and another part liked this and wanted to stay. He'd never had such an inner conflict in many centuries. "So.." she began, " Where would you like to sleep? From the looks of things, Rudy has the sofa for the night. So I guess you can have my room or his."

The demon yawned and wanted to fall back and sleep the place he was sitting. For some reason, even though she was the daughter of the human he hated the most, he felt safe around her. Fighting the urges her touch was doing to his depraved body. He craved more. But held back. " I wouldn't think of sleeping in a lady's quarters without consent," he said to Erica, he knew he had to behave himself in Jack's house, lest he expose his true self.

" Quarters," Erica asked with a laugh. " This is a house, silly, not a fortress."

Aubrey smiled at that, though he realized he had to choose his vocabulary more carefully, or the charade would come to a violent end. " Besides," he groaned, changing the subject, " if I don't eat anything soon, I don't believe I'll be able to wake up come the morn." he said looking at the arctic sunset through the window. The pinks and oranges giving a lovely contrast to the grey and white world around them.

" We wouldn't want that," she gently responded, " now would we?" She was so happy. For the first time in her life, someone other then the ones who'd raised her was showing her affection, keeping her company. There was a sense of calm round him. Usually she was nervous around people; making her anxious and uncomfortable. But he was different. Erica stopped rubbing his shoulders and held the man from behind. Taking in his sent, burying her face in to his long jet black hair. There was something strange about his smell, She could not place her finger on it, in some way she recognized it. In another way it was far to her grasp, a memory that lay hidden. The two of them were about the fall asleep, leaning on each other.

" Hey! Erica, Aubrey," came Jack's voice from downstairs, " it's ready."

Erica quickly got up and the two made their way to the kitchen. Being around Jack again was not pleasing to the strange man, but at least the pain in his stomach would've been remedied. Gathering around the table, Jack offered each of them a bowl of chicken stew. It was think and creamy, and the chicken melted in Aubrey’s mouth it was so tender. The taste was overwhelmingly rich. Unlike anything he had ever tasted as a demon.

" Well kids," Jack said to them, " After this, I am going to bed. I think you two should as well. Aubrey can have Rudy's room for the night. Tomorrow, Rudy and I will be working on the castle, again. I am sure you guys can find something to do. Why don’t you show him around town Erica?" and with that, Jack walked up the stairs, retiring to his own bedroom at the end or the hall.

Aubrey finished his meal in record time. Since his new body never had anything to eat other than the jerky Erica had fed him in the bath house, he was starving. Erica finished soon after him. “ We should get to sleep, come on, I’ll show you to your room..” She walked, Alhazad handed her her bookbag, “ You don’t want to forget this, do you?” and she took it from him.

“ Thanks,” she commented as they slowly made their way up the steps. Standing in the hall she faced him, her little heart was racing.. Fluttering inside her chest.

Erica stretched. " Well Aubrey," she said with a yawn, " looks like this is goodnight. You should be able to find everything you need in there." Erica pointed to Rudy's room. " If you need anything, I'll be right in my room." She hugged him one last time. It had been a very long day for her, and she was drunk on the endorphins from spending all day with this rather handsome young man. She turned to go to her room, and accidentally ran into her door. “ Oof.” She stumbled.

“ Are you okay?” Aubrey blinked. Curious about her reaction and clumsiness.

“ Oh nothing nothing, you’re just.” She turned to look at her father’s door. It was closed, and she could hear his faint snoring. So she knew he couldn’t hear her. “ I like you, And you’re really handsome, is all.” She blushed. “ The red eyes are also really.. Uh, hot.”

“ Hot?” he blinked. “ How are my eyes ‘hot’? Eyes aren’t… hot.” he knew he was toying with her, he knew what hot meant in human slang; sexy, attractive, among other things in the human language. He honestly didn’t know how to respond to her compliments, this never happened to him before. But he was enjoying how she flattered and fawned over him. He was a wolf and she was a scared little deer, nervously rambling about him as her body fidgeted… he wanted to see how she’d react. No one ever was flustered over him before. He wasn’t that fond of his new human form. It was average to him. He was a poor judge of human beauty standards when it had come to men.

“ Uhhh you know,” she leaned into him; “ You’re really attractive.” she whispered. “ Cute.. You’re.. You’re really I dunno I think you’re amazing both inside and out.” She tried to find the right words, they escaped her. The disguised demon lord laughed lightly at this.

“ Well, my dear. You’re quiet lovely yourself. ” He smiled at her. “ You don’t look like a beast at all, like those men said. I can see your mother’s beauty in you.” His whispered to her- taking her hand and kissing it. “ Sweet dreams, dear heart.” He smiled as she pulled way and stumbled as she struggled to open the door. Closing it behind her.

Sighing and love drunk, as she sat on her bed. She paused for a moment when she realized he mentioned her mother- where had she heard that phrase before. Someone else had said it to her.. Maybe? She assumed from the pictures he studied along the stair wall.

The disguised Demon Lord opened the door and walked into Rudy’s room. Less chaotic than Erica’s but the lay out-was similar- just reversed. He took off his long coat and kicked off his shoes, slipping into nothing but his under clothes.

Alhazad sat down on the Holmcross' bed, he sighed heavily. " Not so bad for the first day," he chuckled to himself as he laid down. He smiled to him self as he closed his eyes. The games had only begun. " How could it get any more perfect," he thought to himself. Jack and Elmina's daughter liked and was falling in love with their worst enemy, the Demon Lord Alhazad. " Let's just see what day two has in store, my friends," he said to himself as he fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Bodies lay everywhere along the streets of Aldehyde, bloody and mutated unknown bug parts and animal parts attacked to their limbs. Some screamed out in voices that were completely non-human. Princess Cecilia stood frozen in fear- as the castle burned before her. Homes were destroyed, dead children lined the streets. Dogs and cats and horses ran in packs, scared as their former human masters ran wild as mutated abominations. Memories of the first attack on Aldehyde came to the Innocent One’s memory, the attack when the demons announced themselves, any years ago. Taking her Tear Drop in that horrible threat towards the town… why was this happening again?

Cecilia was lost in a night terror, unlike any she had ever had before. The Dream Chasers were often haunted by nightmares after the second great demon war, but this was so life like, so real. She was soaked in sweat. Her own scream woke her up. She sat up, clutching her chest gasping for breath… her heart raced.

It was very early in the morning, and she was safe in her bed in Aldehyde.

“ Cecilla..” A warm, heavenly voice called to her from the foot of her bed. “ I have come to warn you…” her head snapped up. Seeing the familiar form of the Guardian of Love.

“ Raftina..” Cecilia whispered. “ What’s happening! Why such a nightmare!?”

Raftina lowered her beautiful face, a worried look in her eyes, “ My brother, Justine, has aided Alhazad in his revival. He is alive and well. In Arctica. Justine has ordered Alhazad to atone for his sins and the hardships he has caused the Van Buraces-” She sighed. “ I do not know why he has done this, it makes little sense. Alhazad obeys no one, he has no gods and no masters. This man is a monster, I was shortly made aware of this, and then ..”

“ -Can’t you stop him? Can you do something!?” Cecilia panicked cutting her off.

“ I cannot. Not with out your help. You know just as well as I, we guardians are limited on how much we can interact with the human world, that, and.. I myself cannon interfere at the moment. And I do not know why or how Justine was able to do so…”

“ Why not?!” Cecilia eyes went wide with fright, out of all of the demons. Alhazad was the one she feared and hated the most.

“ There is a source of energy, of love… coming from someone he has twisted into his black heart.”

“ Guardians, who!?”

“ Jack and Elmina’s daughter; Erica..” The guardian wept to herself. “ It’s so twisted of him. She has completely fallen for that unholy man in simply a day. Taking advantage of the young woman’s tender lonely heart. The love radiating off her is giving me power; and.. It feels wrong some how. It feels dirty because it is affection for him, of all people. Why? To be taking energy from a source so awful.” She sighed gravely. “ There is also feeling of love coming for him, too. And as the laws that rule us; I cannot take that from any human, it is against my power to do so. I am unable to act. We aren’t permitted to go down and seek him out and destroy him; it is not our way.”

“ Luceid..?” she she suggested. “ Perhaps Luceid?” knowing the rouge Guardian was still alive, and with Boomerang dead.. hopefully the Guardian had gone home to her human resource for power.

“ Our sister is still missing, even if she were in contact. The guardian of desire would be feeding off the energy from Erica, as he has enamored here, and her feelings for him are growing in also a physical sense....” the Guardian made a face of disgust. Hoping that the vile Demon Lord Alhazad wouldn’t take advantage of the young woman. “ Cecilia, you are the only one who can help us. You must keep him from resorting to his old habits.. Warn your friends, before it is too late.” The Guardian of love pleaded with the Innocent One. “ You must watch this man, keep him under your direct supervision, and the moment he acts out, hurts anyone; destroy him. I need you to keep everyone safe in case he goes down the path of his vile destruction nature once again..”

“ You don’t believe he’ll be after Elmina and try and bring back Lady Harken?!” Cecilia asked fear in her eyes which clouded her better judgment.

“ That is one of our many fears, Innocent One. One demon alive is bad enough, we do not need his student to return to him.”

“ That monster, I know he’ll target her, that creep. I bet he’s using Erica to get to Elmina...” Cecilia’s eyes went wide remembering the basement.

“ It is a blessing Elmina is no longer in Arctica as we speak, she travels to the town of Port Timney.” The Guardian of Love assured her.

“ I’ll find Elmina first, then her and I can travel to Arctica and expose that creep for who he really is. What a sicko preying on Erica like that..” Cecilia thought out loud.

“ Go to Elmina, and keep her safe! Retrieve her and return to Arctica at once. And expose him to the poor lonely soul he has brainwashed.” Rafitna encouraged her. “ Then, only then can he even begin to atone for his sins. They need to know who he is, so they can also protect themselves.”

Cecilia nodded, and threw her sheets off her bed. Ready more then ever to set out once again. The Guardian of Love vanished, leaving Cecilia alone. The princess moved quickly. Throwing what she needed in a pack, and dressing in her old traveling clothes.

She paused for a moment, her staff in hand. Looking at her reflection in the mirror. The lines under her eyes were showing, and traces of grey hair in her strawberry blond hair, stress of ruling a kingdom had done a number on her, and she could only imagine how Jack and Rudy faired in the North. Quickly she made her way towards the hall and to Minister Johan’s sleeping chamber, waking him quickly, ready to explain everything. And her call to keep Filgaia safe, once again, from the twisted and horrific demon; Alhazad.

Erica found herself standing alone in a dark place. It was very cold, and her whole body shivered uncontrollably. There was heavy snow falling around her, but instead of being pristine white, the snowflakes were glossy black. The winds howled eerily around her, inciting fear within her heart. She looked around her feet, and saw the black snow was stained with traces of blood.

"Erica…" a woman's voice spoke within the storm, " Do not forget me. Never forget what you are, nor what you can become. I will find you, little one."

Erica looked about her, trying to find the source of the voice. "Who are you!?!?!" she cried out. "What do you wa-"

The howling of a wolf interrupted her and then everything flashed white.

Erica sat up in her bed, finding herself in her room once again. She realized that she'd had a terrible dream, one that been repeated many times in the past. However, Erica knew the dream was much stronger and louder than in previous nights. The voice she heard was clearly audible, despite the furious storm. It was always a woman's voice, one that was very cold and sinister. Erica often wondered if the owner of the voice was even human.

She heard her pet barking loudly again, and not in a friendly manner. " Darksong!" she exclaimed.

She dashed out of the room, in a t-shirt and her underwear, and wasn't surprised to find Darksong in Rudy's room. He had Aubrey pinned to the bed, snarling at the young man. She immediately came over, struggling to pull the large dog off the stranger. Once he was on the floor, she gave him a very cross look. " Bad dog!" she snapped, scolding the canine. " Whats gotten into you!" Aubrey stood up and kept the bed in between them, standing in a pair of long boxers. Neither of them reacting to the two barely dressed.

Darksong only lowered his head and trotted towards the door. Once there, he waited for them to leave the room. " I am soooo sorry, Aubrey," she said apologetically, rushing to him and checking his body for scratches and bites. Nothing remained and his own wounds from yesterday had vanished..

" Don’t worry about it." the former demon scientist replied. " He is a male, and must see me as a threat, or a challenge." He glared at the supposed ‘dog’ hard, who he was beginning to distrust even more. " Perhaps you should get him fixed."

Darksong responded with a snarl, and then retreated downstairs to the kitchen.

Erica and Aubrey then noticed one another, and their lack of clothing. “ Oh my goodness- I.. I’m gonna go get dressed. I didn’t release..” Erica stammered. Aubrey grinned. He contained himself; well I know I like what I see- he thought to himself. He watched her scramble into her own room. With minor swears here and there as she crashed around to quickly dress herself. He smiled and slid his own clothing back on. Now that was a treat.

Once Erica was in her room, quickly jumping into a warm pair of pants and sliding her tank top back on. Her heart racing. She had seen men swimming before, but never anyone she liked. She always wondered if she were a lesbian, or asexual, but now she knew better. This man was so endearing, and his body was nicely cut. He clearly took care of himself. She washed her face off by a small water bowl on her dresser. Calming herself down. How on earth did he do this to her? She never felt like this about anyone before.

Alhazad heard Erica crashing around in her own room as he dressed himself. Laughing lightly. Once he was dressed he knocked on the threshold of her door. “ Are you decent?” he asked.

“ Ye.. Yes yes I am.” She fumbled a brush, as she stood in front of a mirror in her room to brush her hair. It was mounted to a dresser, across from the end of her bed. Once she finished brushing the chaos that was her hair, she turned and saw Aubrey. His hair was also a mess.

“ Oh my goodness. Let me take care of that, come here.” Aubrey raised an eyebrow, and walked toward her. It was then noticing his own reflection. His hair was a disaster. It never occurred to him that that would be something he’d ever have to manage.

“ Here sit on the edge of my bed, and I’ll brush your hair for you. I have an idea that’ll help keep it out of your eyes.” Alhazad did as she suggested, and sat on the edge of the bed. Erica climbed and sat behind him on her knees. And gently brushed his hair. It was very black, blacker than any hair she had seen before. And it was so soft, and thick, and extremely long.. Longer than her own hair.

“ Didn’t your father ever tell you how to manage your hair?”

“ I never met my father.” He said flatly.

“ Oh.. And I guess your mom-”

“ -She wasn’t to fond of me, she favored my older brother more.” Aubrey said all to harshly, not at Erica. But in deep rooted hatred for his own Mother. He looked at his own refection, this was touching on a sensitive subject, one he had never spoken about before. But, Erica seemed different, and he wasn’t going to toss up an opportunity to use his pain to further gain her trust; “ She said I was malformed, and suggested I be covered. That my.. Hideous body must remain a mystery, that I should be ashamed of myself.. But.. She seemed to take joy in my suffering as if she fed off my own misery...” He carefully worded it together, most of it was the truth. But try as me must he had to pace himself so he didn’t say any names of expose his true identity. He then sighed, “ But.. I suppose it’s a good thing, that she didn’t favor me. Because she ended up killing my brother, and eating him.” He narrowed his eyes at himself. “ I’m the only surviving member of my family. …That’s why I ran way.”

“ Sweet Guardians I am so, so so sorry. I am sorry, oh my god I didn’t mean to-”

“ It is okay, some cowboys found out what she did, and killed her. She was some psycho witch that lived in the middle of nowhere. I managed to escape before it got too crazy. So to answer your question; no. My mother taught me nothing about taking care of my body. She wouldn’t even touch it.. No one did.”

“ Well that changes now. Okay?” she hugged him from behind. “ My family will accept you, you don’t have to worry about anyone being cruel like that ever again. Or judging you by your appearance.”

‘ I doubt that.’ The demon thought to himself. But he couldn’t help but feel comforted by he words. She was very welcoming, too welcoming. Her compassion was unreal, and he had assumed perhaps it came from her own hardships. That she taught it to herself. Clearly she didn’t learn this from her father. And her mother had been missing during those important developmental years. Despite the fact of everything else; she was strong. Stronger than he had been when he was a younger demon. Her tender heart had not frozen over just yet.

“ I know what it’s like to be alone, with out a parent- and one who can be kind of.. Nuts. Not saying we’re the same. But.. It’s going to be okay, okay?” she reassured him, rubbing his back. “ Now,” she pulled a hair tie off her wrist. “ I have an idea- let me tie some of your hair back- so it won’t be in your eyes.” He watched what she was doing in the mirror, as she neatly pulled his long bangs behind his head. And pulled it up in a small bun. “ Now… what do you think?”

“ Goodness..” He gave a slight grin. “ Not bad, I like it. Thank you, dear heart. You truly made me look like a rather dashing human- er man, thank you.” He chuckled.

“ Hahaha you look like a gentleman.” She commented. Sliding off her bed. She noticed her new boyfriend had spotted one of her sketchbooks on her dresser, and froze when he went to pick it up.

“ May I look inside?” Aubrey asked.

“ I… yeah I just.. Please don’t think it’s weird..” She hugged her arms. “ I draw a lot of weird monsters and everyone freaks out about it. My parents are just happy I have a hobby… It… it got me in trouble with the towns people my age years back—” Erica rambled quickly- the words were so fast the disguised demon almost didn’t understand what she said.

“ Oh, hush.” He put a finger on her lip. “ These aren’t strange at all, these are actually quite fascinating. You are very tallented..” He praised her, amused to see his own creations looking back at him in charcoal and graphite and color. He sat back down on her the end of her bed. Looking at her sketches as he paged through the sketchbook. “ Tell me about them?”

“ Well..” She sat down and slid beside him, and noticed he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to pull her close. She was leaning on his chest, and his head was beside hers. His goatee tickled and she was a bit dizzy by his scent. She blushed at this and then explained; “ That.. That green cat looking thing? That has a face of a woman? But walks around like a mountain lion? Some of them are in the woods where I found you. I gave them names.. There’s three of them.”

“ You named them?!” Aubrey stifled a laugh.. The demon scientist couldn’t help himself.

“ Is that weird?” Erica asked, worry in her voice.

“ No.. No, not at all. Hah haha.” He chuckled. “ That’s actually kind of endearing. What do you name them?” he had to know.

“ Well that one there, with the white on her feet? I call her Misses Boots, the one with the hair that sticks up? That’s Spike, And… the other one, with the missing tail is Mr Stumby.. Sorry, I know the names are silly, I came up with these names when I was like, a teenager. They’re still there too. They’ve never done anything to hurt me. I don’t know why. I guess the food helps.. Which is more than I can say about the rest of the kids I knew back then.”

“ I am sorry to hear that..” Aubrey sighed a faint echo of a memory came to him. He pushed it back.

“ Anyway-” she continued as he turned a page. “ The worm looking thing? That’s Sammy! He likes fruit, and cakes. So every Friday I sneak him one. He usually stays back, I wish I could touch him, his spikes look really neat, but.. He might sting me… It’s creepy, though.. It’s like they.. Know me or something or respect me? I can’t figure it out why they never attacked.”

“ And these?” he turned a page to the ghouls. He knew why; they were trained to respect Harken.. And Elmina, with Erica being her child. There was no doubt they could pick up on Elmina’s energy.

“ That’s Gor! And the rest of his family, I call them his family. I’m not sure if that’s his wife and kids but you know, it doesn’t matter. They like rotten meat. So.. I will find some of the carcases and feed them that. Chickens usually.” She was happy to show one of her passions to someone. To have them not be freaked out by it or turn away from it. But engage and listen to her explain them. “ It makes me happy you like my art..” She smiled.

“ The pleasure’s all mine, thank you for sharing it with me.” He closed the book and sat it back on the dressers\. “ Do your parents know you have made friends with these monsters?”

“ Uh… no, well. I think they have an idea. But they never show up around my parents when we walk the woods. They don’t show up when Darksong is there either. Only me.. ”

“ Hmm,” he knew why, but changed the subject; “ Have you ever thought about doing something with your art? You could be a painter-”

“ Uh, uuuh.. nah.” She waved her hand. “ It’s a private thing. I hate drawing what other people want me to draw. Princess Cecilia wants me to do a huge painting Of Rafitina.. And uh, I’d rather not..”

“ How come?” the Demon Lord questioned, hearing the name of one of the Guardian Lords.

Erica flinched a bit. “ I’d rather not talk about it. Not.. That I don’t believe in love.” She smiled at him. “ The Guardians kind of.. I don’t know, left a bad taste in my mouth after something that happened after the war. Is all. There was a time I felt like she abandoned me.. And after everything we did for them during the war, that really hurt.”

“ Tragic, well, you have me. You don’t need to rely on something you can’t see to aid you or protect you. When I am right here.” He squeezed her close. “ And most importantly, you have yourself. I have no gods and no masters. Why shouldn’t you?”

He hugged her, she hugged him back. He felt light in that moment. This small young human woman seemed to already love him, show him kindness, and had an admiration for his work. No one ever had done that before, not human or demon. He wanted to protect her; wondering what the entire story was. He wanted to tell her how he really felt about the Guardians- but.. He knew it would blow his cover.

“ I’m a little afraid?” she said softly.

“ Why is that?” Aubrey asked.

She inhaled, and sighed deep; “ I think I’m in love with you. I know it’s only been a day.. I don’t want to lose you. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before..” She looked into his red eyes as they locked with hers. He smiled at her and traced a finger down the side of her face, where his thumb and finger lifted her chin.

“ You’ll never lose me, I promise.” Aubrey gave her a side ways smile, she sensed a glimmer of sadness within him… she kept her gaze with him. “ Now, How about we get that breakfast?” he reminded her and she broke from her trance.

“ Right, lets go.” She got up, happier than she had ever been. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this good. It was too magical, to unreal. She hoped and she had dreamt for someone like this.. And when it finally happened. She wanted it to feel more visceral. More real…

Grabbing her backpack and guiding him to the door. The couple made their way downstairs.

Rudy wandered over to his ARM shop for the day. He would repair a few and then head off to help Jack later in the morning. The living metal adult did not think anything unusual would happen that day. As he worked on an ARM, he heard the door being opened. He looked up and saw a face he never wanted to see again.

A woman in her late 20s entered the store. She wore a bright, tight-fitting red turtleneck sweater, which showed off her ample curves. She also wore a black miniskirt, which exposed a great amount of her long legs, which were covered with insulated leggings. A pair of short high-heeled boots graced her feet. Her blonde hair hung straight down around her shoulders, and her red lips were stretched in an inviting smile. Her blue eyes had a very mischievous glint to them. "Good morning, sweetheart." she purred.

It was his former girlfriend, Lilly.

Shortly after the war with the demons ended, Calamity Jane went on another hunt in the Baskar region, where she mysteriously disappeared. Rudy spent months looking for the young woman, even going so far as the dreaded Abyss, but there was no sign of Jane. It was like she fell off the face of Filgaia. Despondent over her loss, Rudy moved to Arctica, where he met Lilly. They seemed to gel at first, for she reminded him so much of Jane. Rudy even taught her how to use an ARM. For a while, he thought Jane had somehow come back to him.

He was wrong.

Lilly proved to be a conniving, narcissistic, and manipulative abuser, who demanded whatever her heart desired. Soon, Rudy found out she was only seeing him in order to get to Jack, who was nearly two decades older her senior. Of course, Erica had no tolerance for Lilly's antics. After losing her mother in the demon assault on Arctica, she vowed never to lose her family again. It didn’t help that Lilly claimed some insane delusions about herself, brainwashing Rudy and many of her and Erica’s peers in the process. It almost ended in a battle to the death between Erica and Lily during the end, but the blonde girl disappeared before the fateful confrontation took place. Rudy felt somewhat responsible for what happened, but the Van Buraces held no grudge against him for his bad judgment. He was in a venerable state- and she abused him. In more ways than one, and it was a slow recovery, once he was finally free from her clutches.

Years had passed, and no one really thought about Lilly. Her appearance in the store surprised Rudy, who sighed heavily at seeing her again. However, in spite of her character, a customer was a customer.

" How can I help you." he asked flatly.

" Oh, nothing really, dear." she said sweetly, " I just need this reloaded." She placed her ARM on the counter in front of him. " That vile Bitch Erica is the reason I lost Rudy, everything, even my chance with Jack. It’s time someone put that miserable deluded bitch in her place. 6 feet under.” She thought to herself.

Rudy rolled his eyes and reloaded the small hand-cannon. " That will be eighty gella." he said with a sigh, not wanting to know why she was back in Acrtica, or what she was planning to do with the ARM. Lilly merely smiled and placed the gella on the table. She then turned about and walked away with her usual strut, closing the door behind her. Rudy groaned to himself, relieved that Lilly had departed. He cleaned the last ARM, locked up the ARMs shop and headed for the castle. He wasn't sure how Jack would take the news of Lilly's return, and wasn't sure to be glad or concerned that Elmina was away.. Elmina also saw right through Lilly’s abuse, and had no tolerance for it.

Back then.. there was a time when the girl insisted that she was the true shaman for the guardians, claiming to channel them and making up rumors how Erica was possessed by a demon, and how she was incahoots with the demons. The lies and stories spread- which didn’t help Erica in the end. It only further outcasted the younger woman. While it was all many years ago- when Erica was 16, the memory was still fresh. Rudy had only hoped Erica would be elsewhere and not run into her. Fearing the show down between the two woman.

He had hoped Erica’s new boyfriend could keep her occupied enough to not see Lilly, and if they did. That he was mature enough to not let Erica’s temper, or mental health, get the better of her. Knowing Erica’s deep seeded hatred for the woman was almost justified. Lilly was the reason Erica had been traumatized years ago, long after the war.

Erica and Aubrey walked downstairs to the kitchen again. Erica looked for something to make for breakfast, Aubrey watched her rummaging through the ice box, and looking in the cabinets. She looked like she had a question in mind as she turned to him and smiled.

“ Crap, there’s not much here.. I wanna make you a real breakfast. Looks like we’re gonna have to go out to the Pub, you don’t mind do you?”

“ Not at all, isn’t it custom for a man to court his partner out to eat?”

She gasped at his suggestion; “ I would love that, well. I’m still paying. I hope you know.”

“ Very well, I’ll return the favor some day.” The two walked to the living room.

" Aubrey?" she asked.

" Yes?" the strange man replied.

" There is this place in the castle I have been wanting to explore." Erica said, taking a breath. " You know about Arctica Castle, right?"

" Of course." Aubrey said with a slight smirk.

" Ok, good. Well, I hear they are still keeping the old basement intact. It's the same as it was when Alhazad and the demons invaded Arctica. For years, I've been wanting to explore it, but." she continued, hesitating for a moment, " I wanted some one to come with me, just in case something were to happen. After all, the castle was a den of monsters just a few years back. I mean I’ve kind of made peace with the monsters in the woods I found you in, they leave me alone. But I think the really dangerous ones may be in there. The floating head things, the jewels, and that man with a Chariot.. They frighten me and I don’t want to risk running into one alone. It’s also where they stored the demon Queen, ‘Mother’ after all.."

Aubrey looked amused about her proposition, for he knew how the castle became a den of monsters.

" Well?" she asked, " Do you want to go?"

" I'd gladly go anywhere with you…" he responded, " My love."

Erica grinned warmly and walked towards the door. " Well then, we should get going. We could.. Have a date, at the Pub, for breakfast. They made some amazing food. My treat. Then, we can sneak into the bunker." she said, putting on her coat and throwing her pack on her back.

As they were about to walk out the door, Darksong decided to accompany them.. The reincarnated demon rolled his eyes in annoyance as they left the house.

Elsewhere, Lilly sat on the front steps of her home, thinking about how to put her plains into action. She raised her head to see her old nemesis, Erica Van Burace. Beside the younger of the Van Buraces was a man Lilly had never seen before, dressed in lavender clothes and walking in a very stately manner. She also saw they were both holding hands. " Who is that?" she thought to herself. " Is he a nobleman? If so, why's he with a total dud like Erica?"

Her curiosity, not to mention her insatiable desire to taunt Erica, got the better of her, and she made her way from the steps, headed in the couple's direction.

Erica continued on towards the Pub with Aubrey. Though it took longer with his supposedly injuries, it also gave her more time to be with him. She felt truly happy for the first time in many years...

Then Erica saw her.. " Dammit.." she said with a groan.

" What is it?" Aubrey asked, a concerned look on his face.

Instead of responding, Erica moved in front of him to confront her old nemesis, Lilly, who she thought had left town after their last encounter- the whole thing that went down years ago.. " What do YOU want," Erica snarled. “ Do I need to beat your ass again? Remember what I said last time. Either you leave town, and leave my family, me, and Uncle Rudy alone or you’re gonna have to figure out a new way to eat food. Because teeth are removable.”

Lilly chuckled at the younger Van Burace. " Wow, I’m hurt." she began in an insulting tone, " is that any way to greet an old friend?"

" You were never my friend, you psychopath." Erica coldly replied. " Don't even try toying with me. Not again. You won’t get away with it this time. We know your bullshit lies. You have no idea how badly screwed up our heads. Leave."

" Hmph!" Lilly muttered, and pushed Erica aside. She walked up to the strange man who accompanied Erica. " Mmm…" she said to herself, looking him up and down. " Hello there. It's not often someone of noble birth comes to our little town."

Erica immediately got in her face. " Noble birth?" she asked heatedly. " What are you talking about? Spaghetti head."

Lilly ignored her and turned back to Aubrey. " So your friends with Erica, eh? I wouldn't hang around her, you know. I hear she’s weird, and was in some battles with those demons years ago. She also growls too much. For all we know, she could be possessed by one. In fact I don’t even think she’s really a girl.."

" What would you know of... possession." Aubrey asked in a low icy voice. He sensed deceit and corruption within her. Were the circumstances different, he might've found her useful. But, since she was maligning the good name of Erica Van Burace, he felt no emotion for the sweater-clad woman.

Lilly was a bit startled by the young man's words. At first, she thought he might have been blind, since he was wearing dark sunglasses and was with Erica. However, she noticed he was looking right into her blue eyes, so she surmised he probably wasn't blind. Moreover, she felt he had a powerful presence, stronger than she'd felt around anyone else, including Jack and Rudy. Lilly liked power, more than that, she loved power. She desired to sweep him away from her rival and make Aubrey her own. " You are a powerful man.." she commented with a hungry grin. " Forget that lowly Van Burace waif, and accept the embrace of a real woman." she finished, holding her hands behind her head and arching her back slightly, pushing out her well-developed chest even more.

" Excuse me?!" Erica asked sternly, grabbing Lilly by the arm and spinning her around to face her. " What the hell is the matter with you? You cheap slut! I’m standing right here! If you’re gonna talk shit about me at least face me face to face you fucking coward!"

" Was I talking to you?" Lilly asked, crinkling her nose. " He's far too good for you, Eric."

“ I am a girl, you better respect my pronouns or your’s are gonna be a was and were.” Erica barked at her and growled angrily at her old abuser, livid at Lilly mocking her very gender.

Lilly turned back to Aubrey. " So." she began in a sultry voice, " Do you see anything you like?" She posed seductively once more as she finished speaking.

The former Alhazad's eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses. " No." he replied in an icy voice.

Lilly completely lost her composure, shock on her lovely face. " What do you mean, 'no,'?!" she asked in disbelief.

" Just as I said." the man replied without any emotion, " No."

The blonde's mouth hung open in shock. She couldn't believe any man would've chosen Erica over her, and her ego was badly wounded by Aubrey's heartless rejection.

" Catching flies, Lilly?" Erica asked with a smirk, delighted at seeing her rival knocked off her high horse.

The blonde's fists tightened as she spun around to face Erica. " How dare you!" she spat at her nemesis. " How dare you people humiliate me like this!"

" You know the old saying, don't you? Turn about is fair play. You rep what you sow. No one wants you anymore, Lilly. They all know you’re batshite insane!"

Lilly merely glared at Erica, too angry to even speak.

" I think she's made herself quite clear." Aubrey said sternly. " Get out of our sight, begone, leave. No one wants you here."

The devious damsel exhaled through clenched teeth. " You'll pay for this, Erica Van Burace. You and your only friend shall both pay for defying me!" She spun on her heel and walked off into town.

Erica, Aubrey, and Darksong all watched her stomp away, her shattered ego trailing behind her. Erica leaned against the young man affectionately, encouraged that he'd spurned Lilly in favor of herself. She believed he wouldn't be swayed by another woman, even Lilly. In spite of Erica's reservations about her body, she believed she was the woman for Aubrey. Unable to contain herself, she spun Aubrey around and kissed him full on the lips. The reincarnated demon was visibly surprised at Erica's actions, for he'd never been kissed by any woman. He returned the gesture, and enjoyed her taste, as her felt her tongue gently meet his lips and lightly touch his own.

Darksong was incensed, and used his body to pry them apart. He thought Erica was getting far too attached to the demon for his tastes.

" Darksong." Erica said in an insulted tone, perturbed at her pet for interrupting her moment of passion, " What is your problem?"

Darksong groaned in protest.

" Whatever." Erica replied, rolling her eyes. She looked to Aubrey, who stood wide-eyed in surprise. " Did I startle you?" she asked. " I'm sorry. I... just couldn't help it." Tears came to her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest. " You stood up for me, you helped defend me against someone who had once abused me-" she wept lightly.. She sighed into him. “ Usually I just stumble over my words, and people often join her side.. Like last time. But this time, I felt like I managed to gain a back bone and the courage to stand up to her.. I don’t know where it came from. But it.. You were there and I felt stronger, because I had something to defend and protect what was mine... And you stood by me. No one’s ever done that for me before.. That was so sweet of you.. You're too kind.”

" Erica…" Aubrey said quietly, running his hand through her dirty blonde hair. No one had ever called him kind during his previous life. He'd been known for his ruthlessness and inhuman cruelty. Anyone who dared cross Alhazad met a gruesome fate. Even though he was supposed to atone his sins, he refused to tolerate anyone interfering with the happiness he had with Erica, especially Lilly or the three young men from the other day. Alhazad truly felt loved, and wasn't going to allow anyone to ruin it.

Chapter Text

Erica let go of Aubrey during the tender embrace.. and looked into his spectacled eyes. " Would you like to go to the Pub now?" she asked. " I know you're hungry." Aubrey nodded and took her hand in his own. " Which way is it?" he asked. Erica stalled for a minute, and then glanced around across the street. " Two houses down from there." she said, pointing in the direction of their destination. The couple resumed their walk towards the Pub.

Lilly growled lowly from being insulted, and rejected. She was expecting such comments from Erica, but she never expected any man would choose Erica over her. The sheer embarrassment of the whole episode infuriated her to no end. She took in a deep breath, and exhaled, watching her breath turn into vapor as it faded above her. As she brooded over her humiliation, young man of about 20 came out of the house. He had the same hair and eye color as Lilly, wearing thick ear muffs. He wore a dark green winter jacket over his blue sweater. A pair of brown gloves kept his hands warm. He wore simple blue jeans, and brown winter boots.

The you man sat down next to Lilly, and noticed she was upset, more than she'd been recently, and wondered what she was doing back in town. " What's up, sis?" he asked.

Lilly turned her head and saw her younger brother, Joe. " Nothing," she said, though she knew she didn't sound convincing. " That Van Burace girl, and her new friend, humiliated me. How could he choose that useless scamp over me, the next Queen of Arctica."

Joe groaned to himself. He knew the only thing about his sister than was larger than her bra size was her ego. Her claims of being royalty only further inflated her opinion of herself. " You mean the guy in the purple clothes who uses these whacked-out words?"

Lilly quirked an eyebrow upward. " I guess…" she replied tentatively. "What do you mean by 'whacked out words?'"

" Let's see... Reprobate... simpleton... why can't he talk normal?"

" Because he's far from normal… " Lilly thought to herself. " He was certainly quick to learn your weakness, Joe."

" And on top of that.." Joe went on, unaware of what Lilly was thinking. " Clark told me the guy followed him home, when he knew no one was following him. He went inside, closed the door behind him, and then." Joe continued, building up to the climax, " The guy was standing right behind him! He wasn't there five seconds before that. How'd he get in the house?"

" Good question." Lilly replied thoughtfully, stroking her chin. " He's clearly much more than he seems." Her head bowed a bit, and a sad sigh escaped her red lips.

" Oh Guardians.." Joe said, " You didn't try-" He stopped before completing the sentence.

" If only he hadn't sided with Erica." Lilly grumbled. " He could've been my King. But it seems he has to go as well."

" Go?" Joe asked, " Go where? What do you mean?"

Lilly gave her brother a scathing look. " Erica Van Burace has annoyed me for the last time." she began in a hard voice. " I don't care if she's the daughter of the last Fenril Knights. I tried to warn all of you years ago she was trouble, that she was bad news. Is this new friend of her’s even human? We need to get rid of her and Aubrey. Clearly he rejected me because he’s evil and dangerous just as she is. I'm tired of them messing with my plans. We are of royal blood, Joe. Our mother was the sister of the Queen of Arctica, so we're next in line to rule this land."

"I hope she doesn't say, 'Bow before your Queen!' again." Joe thought to himself. " Last time, she wound up coming home covered in tomato sauce."

Lilly gave Joe an annoyed look. " In any case, we're going to follow those lovebirds. And when they're alone.." she said, raising her right hand, which had every finger crooked in a menacing fashion. " we finish them." she concluded, making a finger gun with her hand.

" Finish them.." Joe repeated with a smile. " I like the sound of that."

" I thought you would. Round up Clark and Mike. I'll follow those lovebirds and find out where they're headed, then return here. And then, we'll end those fools. Nothing shall stand in the way of my path to glory! NOTHING!"

" Aye aye, sis." Joe replied, and headed from the house.

Lilly watched him go, a pleased look on her face. She chuckled to herself. " The time is coming for our final showdown, Erica." she said to herself. " You and your new beau shall both pay the price for defying me."

The trio reached the Pub, and Erica peaked her head inside. The hostess smiled at her.

“ Good morning Erica. Just you today? Do you wanna sit at the bar?”

“ Nope, a seat for two, I have a friend!” she said as she pulled Aubrey into the dim Pub by his upper arm. The black haired man gave a slight smile. “ We’re on a date, so do you have any tables open?”

The hostess covered her mouth in surprise, usually Erica sat alone when she wasn’t with her parents. “ It’ll be a bit, do you mind waiting?”

“ Not at all.” Erica smiled happily. As she and Aubrey took a seat outside. Darksong lay below them at their feet, keeping a cold eye on the demon. Erica felt.. Okay. She was sure she was okay. But something nagged at the back of her mind. She felt a chill, deep inside. Cold. She felt like her brain was floating in a cup of carbonated water or Ale. Fizzy and distant. She tried to remain in control. But she was losing it, fear engulfed her.. She knew what was happening next and she stared off straight ahead at nothing, ignoring everything around her. Darksong came alerted to this and licked at her hand- and whined at her- her arms and wrapped around her chest. Not now. Not Now. No No No don’t do this in front of him you idiot. Not now. Grow up. Stop it--

A sixteen year old Erica huddled on the ground cowering- begging them to stop. Jack and Elmina were gone, they had to travel south through the mountain pass. They had been gone since spring. Something with Cecilia…?? it didn’t matter. Erica wanted to stay home.. And Rudy was with her, he stayed behind too. But for different reasons, he had a girlfriend..

Rudy was beside himself about what was happening. It seemed like it couldn’t be true. He tried to reassure the local friend group that nothing bad was happening. It was now almost summer…

Erica had tried again and again to explain- but no one wanted to hear it.

Lilly was raving, accusing Erica of summoning the demons.

“ I would never summon the demons!” she cried, tears streaming down her face. “ I didn’t do anything wrong!” she sobbed.

“ That’s a lie, I saw her feeding some of the monsters the remains of the chickens we slaughtered. She was throwing them pieces in the woods. Talking to them like they were people.” One young man pointed out. “ You’re such an actress! If you were innocent you wouldn’t be crying, you’re crying because you were caught!”

“ I know!! I’ve been to her house, would you believe she has a sketchbook filled with drawings of those horrible things.” Said another- one of the boys her age that was helping repair something for her father in the kitchen. “ She even has them stuffed on display, like a deer or bird or something. Like she’s proud of it!”

Erica crumbled, looking at the ground, the soft green grass under her. The bright yellow flowers a stark contrast to the events happening around her. Wishing someone where there to save her. She feared what her father would think. And.. Rudy was busy holding his weeping girlfriend, Lilly. Lilly who had put on a show- claiming that the spirit of Alhazad was in her house, and that Erica had summoned him there. Making up stories. She glared at Rudy feeling betrayed. Why was he going along with this? He’d been in Erica’s position before. And yet here he was, glued to that bitch. But in truth, she had him brainwashed too- it wasn’t entirely his fault.

“ She did, she’s helping him! And Alhazad tried to kill me. He possessed me and tried to slit my wrist!…. Look Rudy!!” she showed weak scratches on her arms. Erica knew she was full of it, she tried to call her out so many times. The scratches weren’t even deep enough. She was doing this for attention. She wished so badly Jane was here, she’d clobber Lilly to pieces. But.. She wasn’t, Erica was alone, and a younger Darksong snarled and barked tethered to a tree unable to help her.

“ I swear I didn’t do anything!”

“ Liar!” Lilly cried louder. “ I am the shaman and the Innocent One of the North!” she held out a crystal in the air- one of which she stole from Erica’s rock collection.

“ HEY!! THAT WAS MINE!” Erica got up, livid, she found it on her travels during the war. It was a make-believe thing she had found and Cecilia said that it would protect her from the demons. It was just a fib to tell a scared younger girl.. But it was hers. It was important to her. She kept it all these years. She stood up and went towards Lilly to take it from her; it was met with slap to the face. Erica feel down on the ground in the dirt.

“ You Shut the fuck up!” one of the girls yelled. Everyone in the circle was Erica’s age, or a few years older. All of them had trauma from the demon war- Erica had THOUGHT she had made friends. But.. Clearly it wasn’t true at all. Over the winter she had grown close to them, but.. Now they were showing their true colors. And it really bothered her that Rudy remained quiet..

“ No! It’s not! The Guardians told me that you *stole* the Northern Tear Drop from my house during the demon invasion when you were little, and that you had given it to the demons so they could create a Dark Tear drop-”

“ No I didn’t, Cecilia did! She was forced to! That’s just a normal rock!!” Erica was terrified. A small mob had formed around her.

“ Yes you did!! Rafitna talks to me through the drop. And she said you’re a monster, that no one would ever love you— yes, yes. She’s possessing me now.” Lilly collapsed on the ground, faking being possessed, like something she read in a book. Putting on a show. Erica was too afraid to call her out on it and part of her was even starting to believe it was real.

“ You!! I know what you did to this poor innocent girl! You monster you hideous monster! You can not full me. You will never come into the Summerlands for what you’ve done!!” Lilly seemed to alter her voice, everyone backed up. Erica remained frozen on the ground. The grass under her hands, the warmth of the spring made her feel so off. It was such a beautiful day.. And yet this was happening. Nothing she could have said would have changed anything. Lilly pretending to be Rafitina continued to attack her, claiming she was summoning the other guardians to attack her. Erica wept on the ground in a ball. Begging the real guardians to come and save her. She had seem them be summoned by Princess Cecilia— but nothing happened. She remained alone. It all happened so fast- Rudy himself had been brainwashed and was frozen unsure of what to do. It all happened so fast…

“ ERICA!” a voice clapped like thunder, it called out over the town. It called out like the Demons’ voices boomed when talking to them many years ago. It sounded like Alhazad’s. His low demonic voice yelled again. Metallic and urgent. “ERICA” the metal demon’s voice called again. “ERICA!!” But it became louder, and louder, and more human.. More real; “ ERICA SNAP OUT OF IT! ERICA! ERICA!! I’m right here!! ERICA!!”

Erica gasped, sucking in air, blinking and shaking. Aubrey had her by her shoulders. His sun glasses slipped on top of his head. “ Erica breathe, listen to my voice. Look at me, look at me.” He repeated. She slowly breathed normally, and looked up to meet his steady gauze. “ It’s only me. It’s just me.. I’ve got you. Breath slowly, breath with me. Calm down. Ground yourself. Feel your legs turning into roots. Keeping you tied to the earth. You are safe, in the present. Your mind can no longer leave your body. Breathe.. You are 23, in Arctica, with a family who loves you, you’re with me; your boyfriend. Darksong is with you. You are safe. No one is going to hurt you ever again. I have you, you are mine and I will keep you safe.”

She nodded. Looking at him, slowing her heart rate.

“ Tell me 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can hear, and 3 things that you can touch, and 2 things that you can smell…” Darksong licked at her hand and her face. She was still somewhat in a trance.

“ I see snow, roof singles, red eyes, bench, black wolf… I hear dogs barking, geese are honking, there’s talking in the kitchen behind me and I hear horses walking down the street… I can feel soft fur, someone rubbing my shoulders, hair tickling my hand..”

“ Good good, now what do you smell?”

“ Smoke, food cooking… you.” She looked to her black haired boyfriend. “ What just happened??” she was so confused.

“ You.. You were in the mists of a flash back, I suppose. I merely brought you back.”

“ How.. How did you do that? How did you know I was having an episode? How did you.. That’s.. That’s the best treatment and fix I’ve ever gotten for that, how did you know what to do.”

“ I’m a doctor.” He said before he could stop himself.

“ Huh?” she was almost caught off guard by that reply, had she been in a more lucid state of mind, she would have had questions.

“ I no longer practice.” He said quickly. “ Unforeseen circumstances made me.. Retire.”

“ But you were really good at bringing me back.. Whenever that happens I usually pass out and wake up throwing up. No one’s ever stopped it before..”

“ You do know it is okay to talk to me about it, right?” he exhaled. A bit if guilt hitting his black soul. Wondering it was something he had done during the war to cause this. “ I may look young, but I have seen far more than you could ever possible imagine..” He paused again and then said; “ What happened? Were these flash backs from the war?” Aubrey puzzled. Genuinely upset that if it were that- he’d slap Jack next time he saw him, for simply dragging Erica along during the war, and by proxy showing her things no child needed to see.

“ No.” She narrowed her eyes. “ I wish it was.” She blinked back a few tears. “ I’d have someone who understood if I did, people would get it.. I could share and relate to other people but no.. The war didn’t fuck me up that badly, not as bad as what *she* did…. That psycho Lilly really messed me up.. When I was younger. I get flash backs sometimes and they really never go away. It’s awful. I’m so embarrassed.”

“ You don’t need to be. It’s only natural. Your primate brain saw Lilly again and caused you to go into fight-flight-freeze mode. You did the fight and freeze part. It is over now, and you are safe.”

“ But she’s alive…”

“ And whatever she did- I doubt she has the power to do it again.”

Erica nodded. She wanted to believe him, but part of her couldn’t. She squeezed Aubrey’s hand.

The hostess then peaked her head out the door, and waved them in, unaware of what just happened. Aubrey caught Erica’s hand, and guided her like a gentleman through the crowded Pub. Her right arm locked with his left, and she leaned on him as he escorted them to their seat. Erica was so lost in her own recovery she didn’t even notice the romantic gesture. Aubrey helped her sit back down, and he took his seat across from her, rubbing hers hand in his own on the table. “ Miss, whatever she usually gets- and I will take the same.”

“ Is she okay?” the hostess asked. She had known Erica to be… off.

“ She will be.” He sighed. He knew what was happening - he had seen it before in some of the warriors that came back from battle when he was a demon child. When they hid in the Arctic for all those years…

He watched the hostess tell the cook what they wanted, and went back to helping other customers. Not before sitting two glasses of orange juice on their table.

“ You can tell me about it, I will listen, whatever it is. I won’t leave, I promise. I am a very good listener- Erica, talk to me.” He said gently.

Erica took her eyes up from the table, and looked at him. His red eyes looking back at her, gentle in their own unique way. She bit her lip.. Then explained; “ Back some years ago, like 7? I guess. When I was 16, we had been in the process of making Arctica what it is today. I kind of was making friends with other teenagers and young adults in the area. Uncle Rudy was kind of in the group— only because he was dating Lilly. Anyway, Lilly’s Aunt was the Queen of Arctica.. Which doesn’t mean anything at all. Her family is rich, but they aren’t royalty.”

Aubrey nodded. “ Go on..”

“ Well, Dad and mom left that start of spring, for a few months. And in my own…lack of better judgment…”

“ You were only 16. Be kind to yourself, Erica.” Ge squeezed her hand, keeping a steady non-judgmental look. It reminded her of when she’d talk to other doctors, who deal with the brain. Only this time.. He actually seemed to know what to say, not to just hurry and rush her out of their office.

“ ..I kind of fell into this queen new innocent one cult. Only because I was so lonely, desperate for friends. And Rudy was dating her and kind of taking care of me..? Rudy is only 2 years older- so.. Whatever, right? He was 18 when this all happened, so was Lilly. Lilly even brain washed me, and Rudy, and a bunch of us in our group. She had them convinced she’d be the future Queen of Arctica. I.. Didn’t think that was true, we don’t need a royal family here. We’re gonna try this new thing where we vote on the leaders of town ever few years.. I kind of gave some push back.. Naturally, that’s who I am.. Well.. Was. Before.. She would go on and on- how she was the queen with magical powers, and they believed her, she had them believing this stupid quartz I found was “another tear drop”.. And she also had them thinking I was summoning the demons, that I had some how knew Alhazad.” Aubrey sniffed at that, and squeezed her hand for his own comfort. “ ‘Cuz didn’t think we needed a queen and was against it, She made up this whole thing where I stole the tear drop during the attack on Arctica, and gave it to Alhazad so he could reverse engineer it- You know, when I was what? Freaking 6 years old?!”

He coughed hearing this- this was venturing too close to what he had actually done. “ Everyone knows Princess Cecilia is the Shaman and Innocent One, her Tear Drop is authentic..

“ Yeah I know, bullshit right? Alhazad’s dead. And it was Cecilia’s Tear drop that was used to do that.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “ But Lilly went on saying I was sicing Alhazad on her, too. Like astrally? Dude. I met the demons, okay? No one is making Alhazad do anything and Lilly’s such a piece of shit the demons wouldn’t even have her on their radar. They were crazy in their own way- but she was a power hungry psychopath- almost like Mother. Plus she probably has a billion STDs.” Aubrey snorted a laugh. If she only knew who she was telling this to. Lilly’s antics had pulled him into it, she had used his name, when he was dead none the less, in a manner of speaking. She had used him to hurt Erica. Which made him very unhappy.. livid with the human wench was an understatement.

“ It turned into this whole big thing, finally Lilly started showing her true colors, and dad saw she was abusing Rudy— I never told dad what happened when they were out of town, he didn’t understand it. And he just assumed she heckled me and so did mom. I didn’t other telling them because.. I don’t know. They already had gotten short with me about… other things that happened with my family. So I let it go, least have dad explode and mom lecture me again. Knights don’t get flashbacks like that— They don’t hurt people blah blah blah blah-”

The demon let out a sigh, and squeezed her hand. “ It will be a process. There isn’t a doubt in my mind this was extremely traumatic for you-”

“ To be honest.. I recovered better from memories of my encounters with the demons, than when I remember all the crazy shit she did to me.”

“ Hoo hoo hoo, really now?” Aubrey couldn’t help himself as he laughed. “ I am sure your old demon pals would love to hear it, perhaps you can write Alhazad- since she clearly thinks you have his address.” Erica smiled back at him, and managed to let out a laugh. “ Darling, I have seen this condition in other —” he paused “ I’ve seen this condition in others before, it is treatable. And I will guide you the best I can.”

“ Thank you, Aubrey.” She wiped a few tears off her face.

“ Anything for you, my heart.” He smiled calmly at her. “ Just, tone down the swearing - it isn’t very.. Becoming of you.”

“ But Dad swears-”

“ It makes you look unintelligent, you will be respected more, if you don’t. Expand your vocabulary- you’ll have a more enjoyable time insulting vile insects like her if you do.

“ Heh, yeah, dad isn’t the sharpest.. Good man, but he be really stupid sometimes. In a charming way.”

The former Alhazad didn’t comment.

“ It will be okay, you’re doing good. And you aren’t whining over it- you talk through it.” He patted her hand. “ That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

The line cook, a young man, cleared his throat as he stood by their table; “ I really have the worst timing, Sorry to interrupt your tender moment; but your food is ready.”. Placing two large plats fulled with pancakes, eggs, and bacon on the table. “ Enjoy- we’ll keep it on your father’s tab. He’s been feeding some of the others working on the castle today, so it’s on your old man.” The line cook shrugged and walked back to his kitchen. Aubrey stared at him, feeling slighted in a way. He had used that line before on Garrett and Elmina, but turned to look at Erica as she handed him a fork and knife,

“ You have to try ketchup and pepper and HOT SAUCE on the eggs, it’s Amazing.” She took a bite.

“ Okay, well- now that, that may be a nail in casket for the relationship- that’s a bit too strange for me.” He taunted and she laughed over her food. It was good to see her come back to herself again. They ate quietly as the demon picked and figured out how to use his human hands, the pancakes were so sweat- he figured out this was why humans were so chipper after breakfast- they were coked out on sugar.

Chapter Text

Erica noticed Aubrey was looking about the room, a slightly tense look on his face. Erica patted him on the back. " Are you okay?" she asked. " You seem a little edgy."

" I am fine," the strange man replied, still looking about the room. He felt two sets of strong energy. One was similar to the Van Burace family members. The other was far too unusual to be human. The former was approaching them at a very rapid pace.

" Sissy!" a young boy's voice shouted. " Hiya! Where's Daddy?"

Aubrey turned in time to see a three year old boy run straight into Erica's arms. He had the same hair and eyes as Elmina, and was dressed in a simple wool coat, with plain brown mittens and fur boots. Clearly, he was the son of Jack and Elmina, without any doubt. The demon winced at the fact of the Van Buraces producing another child, for it represented another potential threat to him. The boy clung to his older sister.

Erica smiled at her brother. " He is working on the castle!" she began, " You know that, Alician."

" Alician? " Aubrey thought to himself. " Jack must've thought up that name. I'm surprised Elmina is giving him so much latitude. She wasn't so tolerant in the past. Perhaps she's losing her edge." He chuckled to himself.

" I thought you and Mariel left a few days ago?" Erica asked, rubbing the little boy's head. " Why did you stick around? Is she treating you right?"

“ Mariel.." the disguised demon thought to himself, " Of course." He looked across the Pub, and indeed found Mariel, the Elw girl from Rosetta, sitting at another table. She was virtually unchanged since the first war ended 1,000 years ago. She still a wore red bandanna, and a simple handmade dress. Long furry ears were seen from under her blonde hair. Though she looked scarcely more than a child, Alhazad knew she was well over a millennium old- even older than him. And he was ancient himself. The Elw girl noticed Aubrey looking at her, and gasped at the sight of him. The former Quarter Knight realized she easily recognized his energy, as he saw her own. He tried to look nonchalant, desperately trying to avoid the Elw's notice. She could've blown his cover, something he definitely didn't want in a public place.

" Its okay!" Alician replied, a sad look coming to his face. " Where’s mommy?" He continued hugging his older sibling.

" She just left you both just missed her, she’s coming home in a few months. Okay, Alician? Don't worry, I am sure Mariel is spoiling you rotten. When you come back in the spring she’ll be here!!"

" Then he'll fit right in with the rest of the town." Aubrey commented.

" What?" Erica asked, turning to face her new boyfriend. It took a few seconds before she realized what he meant. " Hey, that's not very nice."

" Neither are the people of Rosetta."

Erica made a face. Even though she knew the Rosetta citizens were overly obsessed with money, she still thought Aubrey was being a bit impolite.

" Who's that scary man?" Alician asked, looking at Aubrey.

The reincarnated Alhazad coughed nervously.

Erica gave her brother a strange look. " What do you mean scary," she asked. " There is nothing scary about him." Erica made her way over and hugged the demon, as they were standing up from their table. " You're so silly, kiddo." she said to the young boy, laughing at the concept of Aubrey being scary. " This is my boyfriend, Aubrey."

The youngest of the Van Burace family looked a tad unconvinced. Though he couldn't put what he felt into words, he couldn't help but shake in the presence of the man who Erica had befriended. The air actually seemed to be colder around him. Before he could say another word, Mariel came from behind him and whispered something in his ear. Alician looked back to the Elw girl, and quickly took her hand. They both left the Pub, nervously looking at Aubrey.

Aubrey watched Mariel and her leave with her nephew. His red eyes squinted suspiciously, wondering what the Elw planned to do afterwords. He got the impression he should follow her, and prevent her from exposing him. " Who was that?" Aubrey asked.

" My little brother, Alician. He stays with Mariel during the winter. He can't take the cold, it makes him really sick. It hurts his lungs, he has trouble breathing when it gets really cold- below freezing, he gets this nasty cough. He has trouble breathing.. It’s kind of scary.. Mariel offered to look after him during the colder months... I don’t know why she’s still here.. They were supposed to leave a few days ago? I guess she still had to take care of a few things.” Erica shrugged.

She put her hand on Aubrey's shoulder, giving him a warm smile. " Anyway, sorry he called you scary. I don't thing you're scary, not at all."

He smiled back, unsure how to feel. His heart fluttered a bit, a side of him felt something else.. " Thank you." the mysterious man replied. " If you only knew." he thought to himself.

" Anyway, let's get outta here, I know a way we can sneak inside the basement of the castle, there’s a boarded up entrance in the back. We won't run into Dad or Uncle Rudy on the way."

" That would be most unfortunate," Aubrey mused.

About fifteen feet away, a blonde woman sat alone at the bar, her back was facing them. She had her head down, so that no one could see her face. She raised her head up, and looked at the couple their table- from the bar mirror across from her. She gave them a devious smile in the reflection. " The back entrance, huh." she asked herself. " They must be headed for the old basement. What a perfect place to bury you, Erica." She got out of her seat, and made her way out of the Pub.

Erica led the way, sneaking behind the houses. Her hand clasped in his own. Taking the back streets. They took the roundabout way in order to avoid being seen by the workers, since the castle was off-limits until its restoration was complete.

Darksong was following them the whole way. The closer they got to the castle, the more agitated he became. He was strongly against the idea of his old enemy setting foot in the castle again. Even though Erica said they'd just be exploring, he didn't trust the demon who destroyed the Arctica he once knew and loved. Finally, his loathing of Alhazad got the better of him, and he forcibly pried the couple apart by nudging Erica away from the demon. He sat in front of the rear entrance, his blue eyes fixed on the raven-haired man.

Erica put her hands on her hips, quite annoyed with her pet's behavior. " Dark, whats with you?" she asked. " We're just going to explore the bunker. Nothing bad is going to happen."

Darksong protested with a loud bark, never taking his eyes off Alhazad. The demonic man also glared at the wolf, rapidly losing patience with the canine's antics.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and Alhazad found himself in the bunker, in his old boy. A grizzled, middle-aged man stood before him, his black sword drawn. The man wore a brown trench coat, and a fierce expression on his weathered face. The most intriguing aspect about him was his blue eyes. The man looked over his shoulder to a young couple that Alhazad knew too well. " Garrett, Elmina!" the man shouted towards them. " You must escape Arctica Castle! Tell the world what has happened here!" He leaped forth to attack his foe, and light flashed once again.

Aubrey found himself as a human again, with Darksong glaring at him. He looked into the wolf's eyes, and saw the same intense expression that the man from his flashback wielded. " You!" he exclaimed, a low growl coming from his throat. " You dare oppose me again?!"

Darksong snarled at the man, a bit concerned that he'd apparently discovered the wolf's true self, but hid his fear nonetheless.

" That's enough!" Erica said sharply, standing between them. " What is with you two!?" she asked, looking at both of them. She turned to Aubrey first. " 'Oppose me?' He's just a dog." She hesitated for a moment. " Well, a really big dog, but I think you're overreacting just a bit."

" Am I?" Aubrey asked. He wasn’t used to someone- anyone standing up to him. Or calling him out.

Darksong backed away, actually going into the castle hallway. He caught a very faint scent inside the corridor, one that seemed vaguely familiar. It wasn't any of the Van Buraces or even Alhazad. It was something else, or someone else. He came up to Erica, barking in concern. He looked back into the castle, and barked again.

" What was it now?" Erica asked, somewhat perturbed by her pet's irrational behavior. However, something about his current actions gave her cause for concern. " What are you saying? Is something in there?"

Darksong barked in response.

‘ That can't be right., Aubrey thought to himself. ‘ We told no one of our plans. And they wouldn't be foolish enough to attempt to rebuild the castle if there were still monsters present.’

Erica finally sighed in resignation. " I just can't figure you out.." she finally said. "You've been acting weird ever since Aubrey came."

‘ I have good reason.’ the wolf thought to himself, ‘ He's a monster.’ Darksong sniffed around the floor, and the scent was gone. It was barely detectable the first time, and beyond detection the next moment. He whined sadly, lowering his head in frustration. He gave one last look at Aubrey, and then moved aside, hoping he wasn't making a mistake.

The couple walked past Darksong and made their way down the long hallway. At the end was an enormous arched doorway, and past it was a staircase leading down. They descended down another set of stairs, and at the bottom of the steps was their destination.

Erica and Aubrey entered the enormous chamber at the bottom of Arctica Castle. Many called it the basement, while those more knowledgeable of the castle referred to it as a bunker, for it was so deep underground. Erica was in awe of the room, while Aubrey had a look of sardonic amusement on his face, remembering well what happened when he came to the castle years earlier as his true self, the Demon Lord Alhazad.

" This is it." Erica remarked, her eyes wide in amazement.

" The legendary bunker of Arctica Castle." Aubrey added.

Erica stifled a laugh. " That's what Mom and Dad kept calling it - a bunker." Her face grew sad, and a mournful sigh escaped her lips. " Dad said great people died in this room. Captain Coldbird, Commander Ryan... " She closed her eyes for a moment. " and although the Duke wasn't a decent man, that didn't give Alhazad a right to kill him." Even to that day, she never called him the King. He was merely the King's brother, next in line to the crown. None of the Van Buraces considered him worthy of the throne, so they never called him the King. Hardly anyone who knew him deemed him worthy, but they were all dead; slain by the Metal Demons years ago.

" I beg to differ." Aubrey said under his breath.

Erica turned to face Aubrey. " Did you say something?"

" No." Aubrey said with a shrug, " must've been the wind."

A wry smirk came to Erica's face. " A lot of people believe this place is haunted, but I know better."

The two of them walked into the very center of the chamber. " How ironic.." Erica started again, " Despite all the innocent lives lost in this chamber, it's also the same place where Dad put an end to the murderous career of Lady Harken."

Aubrey's lips tightened, remembering well what happened on that day. Of all the Dream Chasers, he despised Jack the most, for he was the one who'd ruined his greatest plans. He regretted letting Jack escape in the past, though rectifying that mistake was out of his reach.

" Even though I'm glad Dad killed her." Erica continued, " There's still so much about Harken that's a mystery to me. How did she know the Fast Draw? Who taught her?"

Aubrey said nothing.

" When Dad first told me about Harken years ago, I didn't know what to think." Her head bowed slightly. " But now I do. It appears one of the Fenril Knights sold out to the demons, and taught Harken how to use the Fast Draw. It would also explain why Arctica was destroyed - humans let the demons in, just like in Saint Centour and Court Seim."

Aubrey knew what she said wasn't entirely true, but he remained silent, nonetheless.

Erica shook her head, both disgusted and saddened at the foolishness of some people. After years of being shunned, she began to wonder if any people outside her family weren't foolish. " Mom and Dad never said what became of that rogue knight." she said sadly.

‘ If you only knew the identity of that rogue knight.’ Aubrey thought to himself. ‘ However, revealing your mother's dark secret would make matters... complicated. And I'm sure that annoying feline would have a field day with it.’

" Who are you calling annoying!?" a voice said within Aubrey's mind.

Aubrey silently groaned, recognizing the voice of Justine. " You've got a lot of nerve. " he said within his mind. " Invading the privacy of my own mind. You left me by that stream to die. If Erica had not found me…"

" I'm just keeping a close eye on you." Justine said in response. " Remember, I control your destiny, Alhazad. How does it feel to have your life controlled by another?"

" How amusing, a Guardian Lord acting like a demon. Are you even the real Justine?"

" Watch your tongue, Alhazad, or I WILL undo your unholy experiment of that body you possess! I’ll turn you into a new born!"

" Go right ahead." Aubrey replied defiantly to the voice in his head. " You'll only be admitting that your plan to reform me was a failure. You'll be the laughingstock of the entire race of Guardians."

Justine growled to himself.

" Besides." Aubrey continued, " If you do recreate me as a newborn, I'll have no memory of my past life, so I won't see the need to repent of things I know nothing about. Isn't that right?"

Aubrey sensed a sullen silence on the other end. " You hadn't thought of that." he continued mentally, " Did you, Guardian? You thought you could just coerce me into doing your bidding. Hmph, you're even more pitiful than the others. I alone determine my destiny, Justine. I'm only associating with the Van Buraces because the whole concept of repentance amuses me. Imagine, the daughter of the last Fenril Knights falling in love with their worst enemy, and I have you to thank for it."

" SILENCE!!" Justine roared in anger. "You're walking on thin ice, Alhazad! One more smart remark out of you, and I send you to the Well of Souls right now!"

Aubrey wasn't intimidated by Justine's threat. " Then you've lost. You apparently need me, and I can assure you it's far more than I need you. I can take care of my affairs quite well. Now stop pestering me, Guardian."

Justine growled in aggravation. " I'm starting to get sick of you."

" I'm not particularly fond of you, either, so the less you impose yourself upon me, the happier we'll both become. Capiche?"

The Guardian Lord of Courage snarled within Aubrey's mind, and then departed.

" Hey!" Erica snapped, breaking Aubrey out of his train of thought. " Are you listening to me?"

" Sorry.." the disguised demon hastily replied, " I guess I was a bit distracted."

Erica looked about the room. " By what?" she asked. " We're the only ones down here."

Aubrey felt no other presences in the room. " It seems so.." he replied. " Oh," he went on, remembering where Erica left off when Justine interrupte., "you were talking about that rogue knight."

Erica nodded. " Yeah, my parents never said what happened to him, just like they won't say say what's in the basement of our house."

" The basement?" Aubrey asked.

" Yeah, there's a trap door down there, which leads to a secret room under the house. Mom and Dad have told me over and over again not to open that trap door." A sad sigh came from Erica. " One time, I actually tried to open it, when I was uh, I don’t know 15? And my Dad caught me. I was scolded and grounded for a week. He even threatened to throw away my stuffed monsters..”

"Hmm.." Aubrey said in acknowledgment.

"Even to this day, they won't tell me what's under that trap door. Even Hanpan and Uncle Rudy are silent about it."

"So what you're saying is that secret room is forbidden." Aubrey said to Erica, " Though you still desire to know what's sealed within it."

Erica couldn't help but laugh. " Forbidden? Sealed? You are so funny, Aubrey."

" I wasn't trying to be funny, Erica. I was simply stating the facts as you relayed them."

Erica shook her head, a smile returned to her face. " It might as well be forbidden." she said ruefully, " But what could be so terrible that they won't let me near it?"

" What indeed." Aubrey asked, also curious as to what secrets Jack and Elmina were hiding from their daughter.

A feminine chuckle echoed throughout the chamber. " How sweet." an only too familiar voice spoke. " The two freakshows of all Filgaia... together, and alone."

Erica and Aubrey turned towards the east end of the basement, where a set of stairs led up to a small room. From the room emerged Lilly, arrogant as ever, along with the three troublemakers, Joe, Clark, and Mike. They passed by a huge pillar, which was holding up the east wing, and came up to Aubrey and Erica. Aubrey sensed that their intentions were evil, and bent his fingers into deadly positions, though his hands remained at his side. He wondered why he hadn't detected their presence, since they were so close. However, Aubrey hadn't the time to ponder the issue.

"You again!" Erica stated incredulously, weary of their constant meddling in her life. " Don't you clowns have anything better to do? Why do you keep hounding me?"

" Don't worry, my dear Erica," Lilly said with a smirk. " The hounding shall end here, as will your life!" she finished, her smirk leaving her face.

Erica was visibly startled at Lilly's declaration, while Aubrey remained cool. Privately, he wondered if the blonde schemer had the nerve to actually take a human life.

" That's right, Erica." Lilly continued, " It's time to finish what happened years ago."

" It's the end of the line for you, Erica!" Joe added. " We're gonna finish you!"

" You and your evil boyfriend are going down." Clark added, feeling more secure amongst his friends.

" You've got no chance against us." Mike boasted.

"Pathetic.." Aubrey replied in a cold, emotionless voice. " You buffoons actually believe you have the slightest chance against us? Your foolishness shall be your undoing."

Erica really wanted to believe her boyfriend's words. She wanted to rid herself of Lilly's interference so badly, and yet the same three mens who'd heckled her all her late teen and adult stood between her and her goal. ‘ This must be what Darksong smelled.’ Erica thought to herself. ‘ I really wish he was here.’

" Joe." a worried Mike asked, " Are you sure about this?"

" That guy doesn't sound like he's bluffing." Clark added, scared of the dark-haired man before them.

" Neither am I." Lilly replied sternly. " Kill them! Your Queen commands it!"

" Uh, not this again." Mike said in a deflated voice.

Erica glared at Lilly, livid at what she'd just heard. " You're claiming to be Queen of Arctica, Again!?" she asked in a dangerous voice.

" And me without my guillotine." Aubrey mused.

Erica had been pushed too far. After all the harassment she'd endured from Lilly and her cohorts, hearing her nemesis still claiming to be royalty was the last straw. " You've just signed your death warrant, Lilly." She went to unsheathe her sword, but felt a hand upon her arm. She looked aside, and saw Aubrey was holding her forearm, though his eyes remained on Lilly.

" These simpering dolts are not worthy to feel your blade." he said in an emotionless voice.

" Then how are we going to stop them?" Erica asked, a bit confused by her boyfriend's actions.

" Simple. We shall crush them with our bare hands." he said in a menacing voice, clenching fist and baring his teeth in anger.

" I think I liked him better when I couldn't understand him." Mike muttered.

" Just try and crush us, freaks!" Lilly shot back. " This basement will be the perfect tomb for you losers. ATTACK!!"

The three boys, led by Joe, sprang into action, charging towards Erica and Aubrey. Mike headed for Aubrey, because someone had to fight him, while Joe and Clark converged on Erica, fists balled and fierce looks on their faces. Lilly stood back, planning to finish off the new couple with her ARM.

Mike reared back and started punching Aubrey in the face and the gut. The blows seemed to annoy the dark-haired youth, rather than actually hurt him. Finally, the incognito Demon Lord reached out with his right hand and grasped Mike's throat. The heckler made gasping noises, desperately trying to breathe. His opponent was stronger than he seemed. " You call that fighting?" Aubrey asked in a snarling voice of disgust, and tossed him to the floor. Mike landed on his back, two yards from where he previously stood.

Erica was busy fighting Joe, exchanging blows, The young woman was slowly getting the better of Joe, until Clark sneaked up behind her and yanked on her blonde hair. Erica cried out in pain, not to mention anger from their sneaky tactics. Joe immediately moved in, and started belting her all over her body: face, chest, and stomach. He even kneed her fully in the solar plexus, which really hurt Erica. She was helpless, and unable to fight back.

Aubrey turned from the fallen Mike, and saw Erica's plight. He walked up behind Clark, and grabbed the unsuspecting youth's skull, his fingers digging into Clark's cranium. Clark screamed in pain, and quickly lost his grip on Erica, as the pain in his head was too great to ignore. Aubrey sneered hatefully, his demonic instincts becoming more and more apparent.

Erica felt Clark had released his hold on her hair, and refocused on Joe. She blocked another oncoming punch, and retaliated with a blow to the lower abdominal region of the prankster. An enraged Erica grabbed Joe's hair and kneed him several times in the head, the last one sending him sprawling to the floor. Joe groaned in pain, trying to get off the stone surface.

Erica turned around and went over to Clark, whose head was still being squeezed by Aubrey. " Mess up MY hair, will you?!" she exclaimed in outrage. She then kicked Clark's stomach, who was literally being held up by Aubrey's viselike grip. She ended with a very hard knee right to Clark's most private parts. The boy's eyes rolled up into his head, and his legs became like rubber. " People like you shouldn't be allowed to breed." Erica spat.

Suddenly, Mike came up behind Aubrey, leaping onto his back, and placing him in a stranglehold. The strange man let go of Clark, who slumped onto the floor, unable to continue the battle. Aubrey stumbled about, with Mike hanging on for dear life. He realized he couldn't fight Erica's new beau head on, so he attempted a sneak attack. Aubrey snarled demoniacally, rapidly losing patience with the men. Though he vowed to crush them with his bare hands, he was sorely tempted to roast them with his black magic. Instead of choosing the latter, he reached back with both hands, grabbed the back of Mike's head, and hurled him off his back, sending him to the floor once again.

Aubrey slowly advanced on his enemy, a vicious growl coming from his throat. His shades seemed to have a reddish tint to them, hiding his fiercely glowing eyes, which reflected his mood. Mike managed to regain his footing, and gasped as he saw the demonic youth approaching him. He also saw a battered, yet resolute Erica walking towards him as well. He tried coming at Aubrey with another blow, but it was quickly blocked. Aubrey wrapped his own arm around Mike's bicep, and wrenched upwards. Mike cried out in pain, as his right arm felt like it was being pulled out of its socket. Aubrey reared back, still holding Mike's arm, and punched him flush on the heart. Mike gasped, as his circulation was temporarily disrupted. Aubrey watched him stumble for a few moments, then floored him with a backfist behind the skull. Mike wasn't so quick to get off the floor after that assault.

Lilly backed up a bit, shock on her beautiful face. Her cohorts had failed miserably to subdue Erica and Aubrey, and knew she'd be their next target. Erica quickly turned to confront Lilly, murder in her brown eyes. Aubrey turned more slowly, snarling and growling like a bloodthirsty monster. When he turned fully in her direction, Lilly saw his dark shades glowing red, and backed up in fear. Aubrey slowly began to approach her, a vicious look on his face. He was planning to mangle Lilly, as he did the others. Lilly looked about the bunker, trying to find a place to hide. She noticed the support pillar behind her, but knew there was no escape in that direction.. Fear began engulfed her, and she looked more like a frightened child than the ruler of a noble kingdom. In her desperation, she brought out her ARM. " All right, tough guy!" she said to Aubrey. " Let's see if you're immune to bullets!"

Suddenly, Darksong rushed in from nowhere and pounced upon Lilly before she could aim at anyone, knocking the ARM from her hand, which skittered across the floor. Darksong snarled at the girl, quickly realizing what was waiting for Erica in the bunker. " You stupid mutt!" Lilly snapped, and kicked him under his chin, knocking him off her body. Lilly got up, and looked for her ARM.

" You MONSTER!!" Erica exclaimed, beyond livid at what Lilly had done to Darksong. She charged headlong, emitting a bloodcurdling scream of hate. She tackled Lilly, sending her to the floor again, and rained down a slew of punches on her foe's face. Lilly forced Erica off, rolled atop her, and punched Erica several times in the face. Erica soon rolled atop her again and returned the favor.

Aubrey casually made his way towards them, since he knew Erica would've fared much better in single combat. He also doubted Lilly had the ability to overcome Erica by herself. He saw them trading blows on the floor, each trying to overcome the other. However, he noted that they were rolling close to Lilly's ARM, still lying on the floor.

Lilly was pushed off again, and felt the familiar shape of her ARM pressing into the back of her head. Erica got on top of her. She reared back with another punch, but Lilly moved at the last second and Erica wound up striking the steel weapon on the floor. Erica screamed in pain, fearing that she'd broken her hand. Lilly quickly took advantage of the situation, as she slid out from under Erica, got back to her feet and kicked her to the floor.

Erica felt her mind sinking, slipping. She froze. She couldn’t get up and get away. Locked- it was just like before.

Lilly saw her ARM, and quickly recovered it. She cocked her weapon, the metal clicking echoing throughout the chamber. " I've had enough of you, Erica!" she snapped, her face a beaten and battered mess.

Aubrey knew he had to act, as he saw Lilly aiming her ARM at Erica. And Erica, lost in the beginning of another episode. He saw no other choice but to employ his magic, since they were too far away for him to reach in time. His right hand glowed with a foul black aura, as he gathered his dark energy for a quick assault.

"DIIIEEEE!!! " Lilly screamed, her ARM aimed straight for Erica's head. She started to pull the trigger on her handcannon.

"DARK RAY!!" Aubrey shouted in an echoing voice, and unleashed a huge beam of dark power, eight feet in length, which hit Lilly dead on before she could've pulled the trigger. Lilly didn't even have time to scream, as the beam sent her through the stone support pillar, which snapped like a twig. Lilly was slammed against the wall, and her body slumped lifelessly onto the floor.

Suddenly, a rumbling came from above the east end of the bunker, and small pieces of rock began falling from the ceiling. Aubrey looked up, and knew what was about to happen. He snarled defiantly at the crumbling ceiling.

Meanwhile, the boys finally returned to their feet, badly beaten from their failed attempt to defeat Erica and Aubrey. They saw Lilly lying by a wall with a huge indentation in it, making no movements whatsoever.

" LILLY!!" Joe shouted in despair.

" That evil guy killed Lilly!" Clark added.

" We'd better bolt," Mike added, " or we'll be next! Look! This whole place is coming down!"

" Lilly!" Joe cried out.

" It's no use, Joe! She's already dead! Aubrey killed her with his evil power!"

Clark screamed in fright, and dashed for the exit, with Joe and Mike in hot pursuit.

Erica was stunned silent. Completely broken out from the episode- She just saw Aubrey annihilate Lilly with a magical attack. No one she knew used magic, save for Princess Cecilia of Adlehyde, who she hadn't seen in many years. Unfortunately, that wasn't nearly as important as what had just occurred. She thought she knew Aubrey fairly well, only to have that notion blown away, much like how Lilly was blown way by Aubrey's power. She couldn't miss a foul black aura around her beau's form. She was so shocked that she failed to noticed Darksong pulling on her sleeve. " What... what are you." she asked her boyfriend.

Aubrey quickly made his way back to Erica, and took hold of her other arm. " There's no time to explain!" he shouted. " We must depart the bunker at once!"

They quickly headed for the door, with Darksong taking up the lead.

Erica and Aubrey scampered from the castle, headed for the forests behind the old palace on the east side climbing high on the side of the moutain. They were both battered from the fight, but they were still alive. When they looked back, they saw the whole east wing had caved in on itself, with people lying prone outside. Darksong howled mournfully, as his old home was destroyed once again. All of Jack's efforts to restore the legendary castle seemed to lay in ruins as well. Erica tried to turn back, but her arm was caught in her boyfriend's grasp. " What are you doing!?" she asked. " Let me go!!"

" No." Aubrey replied curtly.

" But my dad could've been killed!" Erica protested, trying to break free, but finding Aubrey's grasp stronger than she would've expected.

" And what if your father finds you in this area?" Aubrey asked in a calm voice. " You know entry into the castle is prohibited at this juncture. How do you think he'll respond if he finds out we're the cause of the collapse?"

Erica was a bit shocked by Aubrey's coldness, but couldn't deny that he had a valid point. Her father had never been a truly logical or rational man. His bad temper was something to be feared by all, even his own family. Erica knew Jack would've been furious if he discovered what they did in the castle.

" Even if we did survive his wrath." Aubrey continued, " We'd most likely be prosecuted for illegal trespassing, and destruction to private property."

" That wouldn't have happened if Lilly hadn't tried to kill us." Erica growled, defeated. " It was an accident! We didn't mean to-" She broke down into tears, still shaken after the fall of the castle.

Aubrey lessened his grip, and held Erica in his arms. " I know, Erica." he said in a softer voice. " Unfortunately, I also know the legal system can be very unforgiving." He gently rubbed the young woman's back. ‘ Just like your father.’ he thought to himself. " We can't tell anyone the truth about what transpired." he said aloud. " Moreover, we'll have to remain unseen for the next couple of hours, or at least until the fate of the workers is ascertained."

Erica sighed heavily. " I suppose you're right." she said quietly, looking up into his face. " But, I can't bear the thought of Dad getting hurt! What'll Mom think? She's gone for the next two months, unaware of anything that's happening in this town."

The disguised Alhazad seriously doubted Elmina would've been away for that long, especially if she found out about recent events. " In any case." Aubrey said, " We'll have to wait in these woods until the dust settles. Only then will it be safe to re-enter the town."

The younger Van Burace nodded her head. " Okay, let's do that." Although she was frightened by Aubrey's demonstration in the bunker, she was also more excited by him. She understood what Lilly saw in him: power. Erica felt more secure in Aubrey's arms. She never imagined she'd be the beloved of any powerful figure. However, Aubrey did love her, and put an end to Lilly's antics once and for all. Although Erica wasn't sure if she could've lived with the knowledge that their battle in the bunker possibly caused the deaths of so many people, she had Aubrey with her, and felt everything would eventually turn out for the better. She remained in his arms, savoring the moment they had together.

It bothered Darksong that they were being so close, but he couldn’t deny that it was chiller up on the mountain side. Reluctantly he curled up beside Erica. Helping shield her from the cold.

Chapter Text

Cecilia made her way out of the Adlehyde city limits, after much deliberation and delay. Getting out from under the aging Johan proved to be quite a chore, but she finally managed to convince him that she would return safely, once her mission was complete. She knew Johan's life was nearing its end, and would have to stay and rule Adlehyde as its new Queen. However, she was hesitant to truly claim the throne without a King to rule beside her, and she'd found no one who could've fit the bill. The one person she had in mind was Rudy, and she hadn't heard from him in years, not since he failed to locate the missing Calamity Jane. If it hadn't been for Johan's failing health, she would've stayed with Rudy to the end. Granted, it hurt her that Rudy had loved Jane instead of her, but she never abandoned those closest to her.

Cecilia shook her head, trying to regain her focus. " I need to find Elmina." she said to herself, " and fast." She took in her surroundings, thinking about where to start her search. Neither Surf nor Curran Abbey was a good place to inquire about missing persons, since Elmina wouldn't be in either village. Curran Abbey was for younger girls, and Surf turned a cold shoulder to outsiders. Just the thought of Surf brought Rudy's face back into her mind. She sighed deeply, and tried to think about her mission again. Cecilia realized that the best place to start her search was Milama, since it was close to Adlehyde, and she loved the hamburgers at the Pub. She envisioned the city in her mind, and concentrated her magical energy. "TELEPORT!!" she shouted, and she was whisked away from the edge of Adlehyde.

The princess reappeared outside of Milama, and made her way into the city. It was relatively unchanged since the war with the demons ended years ago. It was primarily a well-to-do city, though the citizens were much more humble and noble than the people of Rosetta. They managed their money, instead of the other way around. Their location near the sea brought them hundreds of tourists, so the city was very prosperous, while still modest.

Cecilia worked her way through the city, to the Pub at the north end. As usual, the place was practically packed, as it had been for many years. Fortunately, the Adlehyde Princess found an empty table not far from the bar. She quickly sat down before it was claimed by anyone else. She really needed something to eat before her journey truly began.

A few minutes later, a rather portly woman with a sour face and her brown hair in a net finally came to her table. She wore a loose fitting gray dress, with a white apron tied around her waist. " What'll it be?" she asked in an exasperated voice, sounding like Cecilia's presence disturbed her.

" Charming." Cecilia thought to herself. " Four hamburgers, please." she said aloud, " and could you make them double?"

The waitress raised an eyebrow. “ Where's the rest of your party?”

“ It's just me today.”

The waitress blinked in visible disbelief. “ Are you serious? You’re going to eat four double hamburgers all by yourself?”

“ Yes.” Cecilia replied, trying to remain polite in spite of the waitress’ lack of proper demeanor.

“ …Okay.” the woman replied, not sure whether to believe Cecilia or not. She headed towards the bar, where the ever-busy owner was pouring more drinks for his customers. “ Four doubles for table six.” she reported crisply.

The owner looked in that direction, and saw Cecilia at the aforementioned table. “ Oh my!” he exclaimed. “ It's been too long. Four double hamburgers coming up, Princess!”

The waitress gave him a startled look. “ Princess?!” she asked. “ You must be joking.”

“ I kid you not. Princess Cecilia frequented this establishment during the Second Demon War. You should be grateful that she’s returned after so long.”

“ Okay.” the waitress flatly replied, though she gave Cecilia a strange look.

After a few minutes, Cecilia’s much-anticipated order arrived. “ Four double hamburgers, Princess.” the waitress announced, her voice lacking any real enthusiasm. “ Enjoy.”

“I definitely will.” the Adlehyde Princess replied.

Cecilia spent the next few minutes consuming her meal. The waitress, and many of the nearby customers, were shocked that she could’ve finished off so much food all by herself. And yet, she did it very quietly, so the other customers weren’t disturbed. Being the Princess of one of the most famed kingdoms on Filgaia, not to mention one of the three heroes who saved the planet from the Metal Demons years ago, Cecilia had an image to maintain.

Around ten minutes later, business seemed to quiet down a tad. Once it did, the owner of the Pub came from behind the bar towards Cecilia’s table. The man had changed little over the past ten years, save for a few more gray hairs on the side. He still remained in fairly decent shape, in spite of his age. His rigorous work ethic saw to that.

The owner soon took a seat at the table, a warm smile on his aged face. “ It’s been too long, Cecilia.” he began. “ Oh, I must apologize for Matilda’s behavior. She definitely lacks Elmina’s pleasant demeanor, and work ethic.”

“ You still miss her?” Cecilia asked.

“ Of course I miss her. She was my best worker. Alas, it seems she has a greater destiny than bussing tables.”

“ True. She’s only recently rediscovered her true self. After all the suffering she’s endured, she deserves a second chance.”

“ Such a tragic tale.” the owner said sadly, remembering what Elmina told him about herself before she left the Pub. “ I’d never imagined one person could endure so much torment.”

“ I know, and that’s why I’ve come to Milama. I need to find her before something happens to her.”

“ What?” the owner asked in surprise. “ Are you saying she’s in some kind of danger?”

“ Yes, her worst enemy has returned, and I fear he’ll be after Elmina.”

“ You don’t say.” The man rubbed his chin in thought. “ If you need to find Elmina, I might be able to help you.”

“ You can!?” Cecilia asked eagerly.

“ Oh yes, even after all this time, I still keep in contact with her. She was, after all, my best worker. According to Jack, she’s training the new soldiers in Port Timney. The Guardians know they need the protection after what happened during the war.”

“ Really? Oh, thank you very much!” she said in her excitement, rapidly shaking his hand.

“ My pleasure.” he replied, a bit taken aback by her sudden burst of enthusiasm.

“ Sorry.” Cecilia said in apology, releasing his hand. “ I suppose I got a bit carried away,” she continued.

“ That’s quite alright.” the owner responded. “ I’m just glad to still be of help. Well, I must get back to my customers. I hope your journey goes well.”

“ That makes two of us. Well, thanks again.”

Fives minutes later, Cecilia left the Pub and made her way towards the outskirts of Milama. Once she was outside of town, she concentrated her magic energy. “TELEPORT!!” she shouted, and she was whisked away.

Cecilia reappeared outside Port Timney, where she hoped to find Elmina before Alhazad arrived in town. She quickly entered the port city, and saw a familiar shape also headed into town. It wore a tight-fitting black bodysuit, with a simple chestplate that stretched around the back as well. A single pauldron covered the figures' left shoulder. A familiar orange scarf was draped around the person’s neck, and a slender longsword was strapped to his back. Cecilia couldn’t help but notice his shaggy head of green hair.

“ Hey!” she called out. “ Wait up!”

The figure turned around, and revealed that it was not actually Zed, but a human teenager whose likeness was uncanny, save for the fact that he was a foot shorter than the vainglorious swordsman. His face was painted the color of steel, which made him look even more like Zed. “ Sorry, babe.” he began exuberantly, “I don’t have time to sign any autographs just yet. I gotta make my smash debut at the guardhouse!”

“ You’re not seriously going to the barracks dressed like that…” Cecilia remarked, dreading how Elmina might react to his entrance.

“ Of course! I am reflecting the Grand Master’s glorious image. All of Port Timney shall rest easier knowing that the Great Gruberman is on the job!”

“ Lovely..” Cecilia muttered, her eyes rolling up into the back of her head. “ Just where is the guardhouse, if I may ask?”

“ Just follow my lead, and I shall lead you to salvation!” Gruberman made his way into town, weaving his way through the busy streets.

“ This cannot be happening.” Cecilia said to herself, trying to keep pace with the bizarre teenager, who’d apparently chosen Zed as his role model.

The Princess of Adlehyde came to a large building at the northern edge of town. It had two floors, and a large oak door in the front. She knew Gruberman was headed north, but the boy seemed to have vanished into thin air. "I hope he's not planning anything stupid," Cecilia said warily, and made her way inside.

The first floor was mainly one enormous room, where around twenty-five men were practicing their swordsmanship. At the far end of the group was a red-haired woman with a stern look on her face. Cecilia easily recognized her as the woman she'd sought, Elmina. As Cecilia headed in the swordswoman's direction, Elmina noticed her and meet her halfway. " Oh, Princess!" she began, a more welcoming look on her face. "I wasn't expecting you. What brings you here today?"

" Rejoice, my comrades!" a flamboyant, adolescent voice called out from outside the guardhouse. " The man has arrived!"

" What." Elmina asked, a deflated look on her face.

Suddenly, the front doors burst open, and Gruberman swooped in on a rope that he apparently had tied outside. He released his grip, and flipped forward, causing the trainees to scatter. After about six or so flips, he landed in the middle of the room, and drew his longsword, which bore a striking resemblance to Zed's own blade, the Doom Bringer. " Here I am!" he went on, " The sole supreme sultan of the sword, the master of monster mashing, the most awesomely awesome swashbuckler this side of the Sand River!"

" Hey!" one trainee called out, not intimidated by the strange boy. " Glad you could make it, Gruberman!"

" This is Gruberman?" Elmina asked, not the slightest bit amused. She made a beeline for the weird teenager, looking extremely vexed, to say the least. " What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she demanded.

" Oh, you must be the head honcho!" he replied, turning to face the swordswoman, " the main mama of this manly montage."

Cecilia's mouth gaped open, and her shoulders slumped forward, at the sight of Gruberman's demonstration of supreme overconfidence.

Elmina slapped her hand over her face, desperately trying to restrain her anger. The semblance of Zed infuriated her, as it brought back memories of her tainted past, memories she'd tried to overcome for years, and yet Gruberman's appearance revived them. She finally uncovered her face, and glared menacingly at the young man. " How dare you disrupt our training session with this sickening display of showboating. This is a guardhouse, not a circus."

" I know it's a guardhouse, and what's a guardhouse without the best man on the job! Who'd feel safe without the Grubmeister in town?"

" You're the best man!?" Elmina inquired, her face becoming as red as her hair. " You don't show up late, you barge in like a herd of bloodthirsty Funbabas, make a complete mockery of our mission, and you have the audacity to claim that you're the best knight among us?!" Angrily, she drew her sword, and viciously brandished the blade. " Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cleave you right now for this chicanery!"

" Hey, I would've come at day break!" Gruberman said defensively, " but I hadn't finished my outfit yet. I'd be insulting the Master if I only partially reflected his glorious image. My fans deserve the best!"

" Oh, and it's perfectly acceptable for you to insult us with this stupid little charade," Elmina replied with biting sarcasm. " This is no place for fish-brained, attention-starved twits like you!" she snapped, her patience wearing dangerously thin. " Get your sorry butt out of the barracks before it gets rended by my blade!"

" Y... you don't mean that," Gruberman said anxiously, losing his composure in the sight of the incensed Sword Princess.

Elmina was through talking. She lunged forward with her sword, causing Gruberman to jump to the side. Undaunted, she reared back with her sword and slashed at the young man's chest, only to have it blocked by Gruberman's blade. She came at him with another slash, but it was again blocked. Even though her blade hadn't touched Gruberman, he was being pushed back towards the door by her furious offense. After six more parried strikes, the frightened swordsman was pushed to the still open doorway. Elmina planted her boot right into Gruberman's family jewels, and then pushed him with all her might, making the young man land butt first onto the street. " AND DON'T EVER SHOW YOUR FACE HERE AGAIN!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "EVER!!!!" She then slammed the doors shut, which echoed throughout the streets of Port Timney.

Elmina breathed heavily as she still held the double doors. Gruberman had incited a rage within her that she didn't believe existed any longer. Never since she'd returned to her family had she lost her temper in such a violent manner. Mental images of the atrocities she committed while she was the evil demoness Lady Harken flooded her conscious mind. Her hands shook as she held onto the door handles, and she struggled hard to keep from crying in front of her students. She knew none of them would've understood how Gruberman's grandstanding had hurt her.

" Chief, you alright?" one of the trainees asked in a concerned voice.

Elmina's head sunk when she heard what he'd called her. It reminded her of her old commander, Captain Coldbird, and she couldn't help but sniffle. She almost couldn't bear to face his memory in light of the evil she'd wrought in her demonic past. It was such times when Elmina wondered if she was truly worthy to carry on the legacy of the Fenril Knights. She lightly shook her head, and let out a long, mournful sigh filled with anguish. She almost didn't want to look at her students and let them see the sadness on her face, but she knew she couldn't avoid them. Struggling to regain her authoritative posture, she turned around. " Resume your training." she said crisply, trying to hide her resurfaced torment.

" Yes, ma'am!" the trainee who spoken replied.

Elmina made her way upstairs, though trying not to look like she was running from them. She just wanted to be alone, and no one asked her for a reason, especially after considering her reaction to the eccentric Gruberman. She quickly entered her office on the second floor, and locked the door behind her. She pressed her back against the door, and began to cry. " Why." she asked in a broken voice. Elmina tried to speak several times, but the words wouldn't come out. She buried her head in her slender hands, letting her tears run freely. She continued to sob by the door, appalled once more at what she'd wrought during the war.

A couple of minutes later, there was a knocking at the door, which was something she didn't want at the moment. " Go away." she said, trying to hide her turmoil.

" I can't do that, Elmina." a familiar voice spoke. " Please open the door."

The tragic swordswoman let out a long sigh, recognizing Cecilia's voice. Quietly, she was relieved, as Cecilia was one person around which she didn't have to put on any facades. " Alright, Cecilia." she finally said. She unlocked the door, and the Princess of Adlehyde made her way in. Once she was inside, Elmina closed the door behind her. She sadly shook her head. "I'm sorry you had to see that," Elmina began. "I was told that Gruberman was learning from an expert swordsman, but I never imagined it would be Zed."

" Or that he'd follow his master's example to the letter." Cecilia added.

Elmina gravely nodded in response.

" But we've got bigger problems than that." Cecilia continued, turning to face the Sword Princess of Arctica. " Much bigger."

Elmina's eyes widened a tad, hearing the gravity of Cecilia's voice.

The Princess of Adlehyde sighed, dreading the thought of how Elmina would've reacted to the news she had to impart, but she knew she couldn't keep it a secret. " Elmina." she began, trying to keep herself from crying, " Alhazad is alive."

The swordswoman gasped in fright, and backed against the door. The color instantly drained from her face, and she looked almost as pale as she did when she was Lady Harken. " Alhazad?" she asked in between frightened breaths.

Cecilia couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and briskly nodded. The news of Alhazad's return to the mortal plane was too much for her as well. She remembered the atrocities Alhazad committed during the war, and was terrified at the thought of history repeating itself.

The red-haired beauty of Arctica trembled, her back still against the door. " How did this happen?!" she inquired, struggling to keep her fear and torment under control.

The blonde woman grit her teeth together, for Elmina had touched on the worst part of the subject. She really didn't want to tell her the truth of how their arch-nemesis returned to life.

" Tell me!" Elmina yelled.

"Alright." Cecilia conceded, not wanting to incite Elmina any further. " It was one of the Guardians who brought him back."

" WHAT?!" came the warrior's reply. " After he almost slaughtered them all with the Darkness Tear?! Why would they even give that bastard the time of day! Do they really think they can control that monster?"

Cecilia didn't know how to respond.

" This is bullshit!" Elmina continued, even more enraged than when Gruberman made his entrance. Her gloved fist slammed against the door. " He doesn't deserve another chance! The only good Alhazad is a dead one!"

Cecilia rolled her eyes upwards. " Someone tell Justine that.." she muttered.

Elmina leaned forward towards the princess. " You're kidding." she started in disbelief. "It was Justine who brought him back?"

" Um..... "

" Isn't this just lovely." Elmina said through clenched teeth. " I was willing to die by Jack's hand so he could find his inner courage. And it summoned Justine back to Filgaia. And how does he repay us? BY BRINGING ALHAZAD BACK INTO OUR LIVES!!!" she exploded.

Cecilia stepped back from the raging Sword Princess. “ It gets worse-”

“ How. Can. It get. Worse.” Elmina pounced every word strongly.

Cecilia looked down at the ground, “ Raftina had spoken to me, she was the one who warned me. But she also came with the message that he’s..” She looked back up at the sword princess. “He’s twisted Erica’s lonely soul into his abysmal claws. Strong enough where Erica’s love for him is what gave away his location to Raftina. That’s how she found out!!”

“ WHAT? HOW!?”

“ I don’t know!”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. " Chief, you in there." a voice outside asked.

" I'm busy at the moment." Elmina replied, trying to remain calm.

" Chief, the Mayor is here to see you."

Elmina's eyes shrunk into the little black dots, and her forehead took on a bluish haze. " The Mayor." she exclaimed. " Could he come back later? This really isn't a good time."

" Why?" an elderly voice asked, " there's no better time than the present."

Elmina spun away from door, recognizing the second voice. Two seconds later, the door opened and a man of around eighty entered the room. The man was of average height, with a wiry physique. His head was completely bald, save for some curly white hair on the sides. He wore a light brown jacket, over a neatly pressed white dress shirt, with a stringy tie around the collar. He had on baggy light brown trousers, with polished brown shoes on his feet. His hands were on the lapels of his jacket, and a noticeable smirk was on his deeply lined face. His whole demeanor practically announced that he wasn't the trustworthy type.

" You must be kidding." Cecilia muttered into Elmina's ear. " This is the Mayor? How'd he get in? I thought you locked the door."

" I did." Elmina said out of the corner of her mouth. " He has his own set of keys for the barracks."

" What's with all this whisperin', girls…" the Mayor began. "Oh my, we have a visitor. And a pretty one, at that." Before anyone could act, he moved towards Cecilia's and quickly took her hand. " The name's Percival Dolby, Mayor of the magnificent city of Port Timney, and the pleasure is all yours." He then proceeded to loudly kiss the Princess' hand, much to her embarrassment.

" Uh, Mayor Dolby." Cecilia tentatively started, removing her hand from the elderly man's grasp, " isn't that rather... indecent?"

" Nonsense! It's not often we get such pretty girls coming to our fine town."

Neither Cecilia nor Elmina looked convinced at the Mayor's statement.

" Hey, what's with the silent treatment all of a sudden? It's not like women to be silent."

Cecilia looked visibly insulted, while Elmina grit her teeth together, her slender hands balling into fists. " Is there any special reason you came today, Dolby." she began, her patience waning at a rapid rate. "We're in the middle of an important discussion at the moment."

" Just checkin' on how our lovely Sword Princess is faring. The stress isn't getting to you, is it? This is only your second day on the job."

The red-haired swordswoman exhaled in frustration. " No, I'm not overly stressed. I just expelled one of my would-be trainees and I need some time to compose myself."

" Good!" Mayor Dolby exclaimed. "We don't need no weaklings defending our town. What we need is real men and real women of real strength!" he declared, thrusting his elbows by his sides, and forcing his pelvis out in a provocative stance.

Cecilia's jaw dropped like a lead weight, and she slapped her hand against her forehead. "This guy's a lunatic." she stated.

Elmina's fist shook by her side, as her rage began to boil again, like it did against Gruberman. "Mayor Dolby." she said, desperately trying to restrain her anger, "We already went over this yesterday. I am married! What part don't you understand?"

Cecilia's head slowly turned towards Elmina, total surprise on her face. "You mean he flirted with you like this yesterday, too!?" she asked.

Elmina glared at Cecilia out of the corner of her eye, quite put out with the Princess' choice of words. " Yes, he did."

"I'm not a lunatic!" the old man defensively stated. "I just know what I like. And I really fiery chicks with plenty of experience."

"What you talking about." Elmina said flatly, her eyes narrowing into deadly slits.

"Now now, don't play innocent with me. You've had at least one child outta wedlock, so that tells me you've had plenty of time under the sheets."

"WHAT?!" the swordswoman erupted. "YOU DIRTY OLD-"

He went to reach for her, but his wrist was quickly snatched by the incensed warrior. "OW! Let go of me!" the Mayor cried out in pain. "I'm brittle!"

"That's never stopped you before." Elmina retorted through clenched teeth. "I should've known you had an ulterior motive in hiring me instead of Jack. How dare you attempt to tear me away from my loving family, you disgusting lech!"

"Ah, you're hurting me! This is a criminal offense, I'll have you know! Assaulting the Mayor will get you a year in the hoosegow!"

Elmina groaned to herself, rolling her eyes up into the back of her head. "You are pathetic. How did you ever get elected?"

Dolby cried in pain as Elmina still held his wrist in her unyielding grasp. He desperately reached out with his other hand, trying to find a way to convince the incensed knight to release him. His hand was poised for Elmina's shoulder, but as he reached forward, it slipped down and caught a hold of her breast instead. Elmina's eyes went as wide as dinner plates, while her green pupils shrunk into thin pinpricks. All of her teeth were bared as she bore into the anguished Mayor with a scathing gaze that she hadn't used in years. "You are dead." she said in a cold, quiet voice.

"Oh no." Cecilia said fearfully, and turned away from the scene, covering her head for protection.

A split second later, the sounds of fists smacking against flesh reverberated from Elmina's side of the office. "OW! STOP THAT!" the Mayor pleaded. Cecilia hadn't the heart to turn around and see the ensuing carnage. A loud thud came from the side of the office. "OW! MY BACK!" Dolby exclaimed. Cecilia surmised that Elmina had slammed the old man against the wall, and the pummeling continued. The elderly Mayor of Port Timney was slammed against another wall. "YOU'LL GET LIFE FOR THIS, YOU DEVIL WOMAN!" he shouted vindictively. There was another thud, followed by a high-pitched scream from the Mayor, which gave Cecilia a good idea of where Elmina had just struck him. A couple of seconds later, the sounds of breaking glass came from the back of the office, followed by yet another scream from the Mayor, trailing outside the barracks, which ended with a loud splash of water, and then there was silence.

After several tense moments, Cecilia finally got the nerve to turn around. The back of the office was quite a mess. The desk was knocked out of place, and the back window was completely smashed, with only broken shards remaining on the frame. Elmina was still looking out the window, her whole body trembling with rage. The only sound in the whole room was the breathing of the vexed redhead. Cecilia slowly made her way towards the infuriated warrior, being very careful not to unintentionally incite her further. "Elmina.." she asked in a concerned voice.

For many moments, the red-haired warrior of Arctica didn't respond. She continued to look out the window, making no indication that she'd even heard Cecilia's voice. Finally, she let out a pained sigh, and held her face in her gloved hands. "My Guardians." she said in a barely audible voice, "What have I done?"

"It's not your fault." Cecilia replied, coming to her side. "That sleaze was trying to-" Cecilia growled in disgust, too sickened by Dolby's true intentions for Elmina to speak them aloud.

"I still feel so-" Elmina couldn't verbalize what she wanted to say. She covered her chest, still shivering from what occurred a few moments ago. "What if he was right.." she asked, tears streaming from her green eyes. "What if there is no hope for us, no hope for this world? Have all our struggles really been for nothing?"

At first, Cecilia was confused by the swordswoman's question. It took a couple of moments to realize Elmina wasn't talking about Mayor Dolby, she was talking about Alhazad. "That's not true!" she countered. "Our fight was not in vain. We saved this world from certain destruction. How can you say it was all for nothing?"

Before Elmina could respond, the rest of her trainees rushed upstairs and made their way into the office, which became quite crowded in an instant. They were shocked to see the carnage apparent throughout the room, their mouths hanging wide open. Many of them cast fearful glances at Elmina, who was still facing the window. "Wh... where's the Mayor," one of them asked in a timid voice.

Elmina didn't turn, while Cecilia had a perplexed look on her face, unsure about how to explain the whereabouts of Percival Dolby.

"I'd say he got the crap beat out of him." another student replied, " and defenestrated, too."

"De-what," a surprised Cecilia asked.

"Thrown out the window."

Cecilia cringed at that. "It sounds much more painful, though."

"N.... no way," the first student who'd spoken uttered in fright. "Say it ain't so, Chief! You didn't kill the Mayor, did you?"

Elmina finally turned around, and fixed her piercing gaze at the terrified pupil. "First of all." she began in a hard voice, "You'll need to find yourself a new Chief. I quit."

There was a respective gasp amongst all the trainees.

"Second of all." Elmina continued, "If you'd seen everything that happened, you'd know why he was assaulted. And last of all, I doubt he perished. The Inner Sea's outside that window, and I'm sure he'll get fished out soon enough." She let out a long, bitter sigh, still vexed about the entire episode. "I'm sorry about all this." she said with a sad look, "But I can't stay in this town any longer. Please, don't ask me to remain, because my mind is set."

All the hopefuls sighed in unison, and bowed their heads. They respectfully moved aside, clearing the doorway for Elmina. A tear ran from her eye. She never meant to leave the town under such circumstances, but she didn't have a choice. After being a puppet of Alhazad for all those long, agonizing years, she vowed never to let anyone violate her like that again. Elmina made her way for the door, with Cecilia following behind her. Every student bowed their head as she walked by them. Soon, she walked through the doorway, passing by the last of her students.

"Mrs. Van Burace!" the first student called out.

Elmina stopped in midstep, and looked over her shoulder.

"Will you ever come back?"

Elmina closed her eyes in sadness. "I wish I could say yes." she responded. Elmina then gave him a regretful look. "Really, I do. For now, I must bid you all farewell." The Sword Princess of Arctica continued on her way towards the stairs, and Cecilia followed her every step of the way.

Elmina and Cecilia stood outside the barracks, looking down at the ground.

"Oh, Elmina." Cecilia began, leaning an arm over her friend's shoulders.

"I never wanted to leave under such circumstances." Elmina started. She shook her head, tossing her long red hair from side to side. "Jack's gonna explode when he hears about this." She turned her head to face Cecilia. "And when he hears that Alhazad is alive again."

"I still can't believe the audacity of that man." Cecilia said indignantly. "He invited you here just so-" She made a disgusted sound, revolted by Dolby's disgusting plan.

"Nor can I," Elmina added. "But enough about him. We need to get back to Arctica, and fast."

"No problem, Elmina. All we need to do is leave the town limits."

"Gladly."

It was a short walk to the edge of town. They managed to make it out of Timney with no interruptions.

"That was easy enough." Cecilia remarked. She then envisioned the city of Arctica in her mind. "TELEPORT!!" she shouted. The transfer spell began, but then it seemed to fizzle out, leaving her and Elmina in the same place. "What." Cecilia asked, surprised that her spell had failed. She thought of Arctica again, and concentrated harder. "TELEPORT!!" she shouted. However, the spell dissipated before it was completed. "What's going on here!?" she asked, a cross look on her face. "It was working perfect when I got here. Why can't we warp to Arctica?"

"Beats me, Cecilia." Elmina said with a shrug of her shoulders. Magic was not her field of expertise, so she didn't try to give an explanation. "Looks like we may have to take the long way to Arctica."

"It'll be awfully dangerous going back, especially if the Mayor is indeed alive. You'll be a wanted criminal."

"I don't care. I need to get back to Jack and Erica. I'll risk another encounter with Dolby if it gets me back home."

Cecilia sighed in resignation. She knew she couldn't talk Elmina out of going back to town. Even though reaching Arctica would've been faster by ship, she was afraid of being caught by the Mayor. She decided to follow Elmina, even though it was a risky move. "Alright, let's go."

The two women returned to the city. They hardly got past the town entrance when a man stopped them. "Hey! Didya hear? Some psycho broad trashed the Mayor! Looks like he tried to grope the wrong chick." He chuckled to himself.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Elmina said through clenched teeth, and went forward.

"Wait up!" Cecilia said aloud, and hurried to catch up to Elmina.

Cecilia and Elmina continued in the direction of the docks, when they found a young woman weeping in the middle of the street. Her lime green hair was done up in a ponytail, which hung past her shoulders. "Miss, are you alright?" Cecilia asked urgently, rushing to her side.

The woman raised her grieving face to the Princess. "It's just terrible!" she said in between sobs. "Some awful fiend beat Mayor Dolby to within an inch of his life. He's such a sweet old man. Who could possibly be so cruel?"

"She's crying for Dolby?" Elmina asked herself.

"I just don't understand.." the woman continued. "Why are kind people like Mayor Dolby and Captain Bartholomew objects of abuse? What did they ever do?"

Elmina had an incredulous expression on her face.

"I wish I could tell you." Cecilia replied to the sad lady, trying to keep a straight face.

The woman sighed to herself. "Well, thanks for listening. I just hope the Mayor gets better." She made her way down the street, wiping her eyes a bit.

"That girl is still hopeless." Cecilia stated with a blank look.

"You've met her?" Elmina asked.

"Yeah, she had a thing for Bartholomew during the war. Looks like things haven't changed."

"That's what worries me."

The ladies proceeded through town, and reached the entrance to the docks, where a trio of sailors were gathered.

"Hey!" one of the sailors started, "Did you hear about that devil woman who beat up old man Dolby?"

"Sure did!" another sailor responded. "I wonder if it's the same one who attacked the Sweet Candy seven years ago?"

"Oh, I remember that day!" the last sailor piped in. "That was when Bartholomew was getting married to that woman, eh........... Olivia Claire."

"Oh no.." Cecilia muttered. She'd all but forgotten about that day, until the sailors brought it up.

"Hey!" the first man exclaimed. "There she is over there!"

Cecilia leaned back in shock, her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "I.... gotta go." she said desperately. "See ya!" She bolted for the docks.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Elmina yelled at her before running after the Princess.

By the time Elmina caught up to Cecilia, she found the mage staring at a large ship. Then she looked at the ship, and it seemed somewhat familiar to her. "Hmm.." she mused to herself, "where have I seen this ship before?"

Cecilia groaned to herself, too aghast to respond.

"Hello, ladies!" a voice beside them spoke. Both of them turned to see a sailor who was nearing sixty, though it hadn't seemed to slow him down. He wore a sleeveless black shirt, and long brown pants. Both sides of his head were shaved, as was the back. "Oh. Princess!" he said, recognizing the blonde woman. "It's been too long. The Captain's missed you."

"Oh Guardians." Cecilia said with a look of dread, "I was right. It's the Sweet Candy."

"The Sweet Candy?" Elmina asked, groaning in disbelief.

The sailor laughed out loud. "Nice to know you remember us. We haven't seen you in a long time. Say, if you need any help, talk to the Captain. He's at the bar."

"I am getting a strong feeling of deja vu.." Cecilia remarked.

"I hope not. It got pretty rough last time we were here, didn't it?"

"Did it ever." Cecilia shook her head, and looked to Elmina. "Let's go find Bartholomew. I'll do the talking."

"You're too kind." Elmina replied with a weak smile. After her encounter with the Mayor, she wasn't looking forward to being in a public place, especially a bar.

When they got to the Pub, it looked rather busy inside. There were almost two dozens patrons, either sitting at a table or at the bar. More than a few were drunk, which made Elmina very uneasy. Bunching her shoulders together, she cautiously followed Cecilia's lead, warily looking about the bar for any sign of hostility.

"There he is." Cecilia spoke up, looking at a table at the northern end of the pub, where sat a lone man. "You know, I think that's the same table where we met him years ago. Now I know I'm feeling deja vu."

"Please, Cecilia," Elmina uttered anxiously, "You're scaring me."

"Sorry."

As they neared the table, the man rose up to meet them. The first thing one noticed about him was that he was about a foot shorter than the average adult male. He appeared to be middle-aged with a full head of dark grey hair. He wore a plain brown vest over a red, long-sleeved shirt. He wore long brown pants, held up by a black leather belt. He also wore heavy brown shoes on his feet. "By the gleaming scales of Lucadia!" the man declared. "Princess Cecilia, it's been too long." he went on, shaking the blonde mage's hand. "Have you been well?"

"Reasonably so." Cecilia replied with a slight blush. She knew the man's mannerisms too well.

"And who might this be?" he asked, seeing Elmina standing a bit behind Cecilia. "A new companion?" He walked around Cecilia towards the redhead. "Hello there, my dear." he began, sticking his hand out. "I'm Captain Bartholomew of the Sweet Candy."

Elmina didn't respond. She merely looked down at another part of the floor.

"Is something wrong, miss?" Bartholomew asked, "You seem rather... put out."

"She'll be fine, Captain." Cecilia interjected, taking hold of his shoulder and turning him towards her. "Now, we really need a favor to ask of you."

"Oh." the captain asked, shaken out of his train of thought. "Why, by all means, ask away. You know you can count on me. Well, most of the time."

Cecilia groaned to herself. "We really need passage to Arctica, and I know the Sweet Candy can make the voyage."

"Oh, yes. It's been through worse." Bartholomew laughed to himself. "Well, even though it is out of our way, I'll do it for you and your friend."

"Really?" Cecilia asked enthusiastically. "Oh, you're the best, Captain."

"I try. Let me speak to the crew. We should be ready to set sail within the hour."

Suddenly, the front door burst open, and around six armed soldiers barged into the bar. In the midst of them was the severely battered Mayor Dolby, who was struggling to stay upright, holding his ribs. "Arrest that woman!" he shouted, pointing towards Elmina. "She is a menace to our fair city!"

"Uh oh." Cecilia remarked, turning with a worried look towards the contingent by the door.

"Looks like you'll have to step up the time of departure, Captain!" Elmina snapped.

"Wh.. What??" a confused Bartholomew asked. "What's going on here?"

"There's no time to explain! Move!"

Elmina dashed towards the back of the bar, even though there was no door. Cecilia soon followed her, as did Bartholomew when he saw the soldiers moving in his direction. Without thinking, the Sword Princess jumped through the glass window, sending broken glass everywhere. Cecilia and Bartholomew were aghast at what she'd done, but followed suit nonetheless.

Outside the bar, Elmina was first to get to her feet, followed by Cecilia. Bartholomew was slowest to rise off the ground. "Ohhhh…" he groaned in pain, "I shouldn't be doing that. Why are we in a rush, if I may ask?"

"We'll explain once we've set sail!!" Cecilia said frantically, hearing footsteps from the other side of the bar.

"Good idea!" Bartholomew said in agreement.

The three of them made a break for the docks, with Bartholomew bringing up the rear. People leaped out of Elmina's path as she led the way, since she was the fastest runner of the group. After a minute or so, they'd reached the pier where the Sweet Candy was docked. A sailor standing by the ship turned to see the coming party, and met them by the gangplank. "Captain!" he asked, "what's going on?"

"Apparently, these ladies have run afoul of the Mayor. We'll need to disembark quicker than usual."

"Oh Guardians, the Mayor!" the sailor declared. "Say no more, we'll get this ship on the seas!"

"Good man!"

The sailor ran up the gangplank, shouting orders to the crew.

"Stop right there!" an old voice shouted from behind the group. They all turned to see Mayor Dolby and his men, each having their sword drawn. Dolby glared menacingly with his one good eye at Elmina. "This is the line for you, vile fiend. Your execution is set for high noon tomorrow."

"Execution?!" Bartholomew exclaimed. "That's barbaric! What are the charges!"

Dolby then gave Cecilia and Bartholomew the evil eye. "As for you two scoundrels, you're going to the hoosegow, for the rest of your lives!"

"That's insane!" Cecilia shouted in protest. "You can't do that!"

"It's my town, I can do whatever I want! Not only am I the Mayor, I'm also the Judge!"

Cecilia's face lost all emotion, as she bayed in horror.

Elmina, on the other hand, was beyond livid. The Mayor's absurd proclamation had exhausted what was left of her thinning patience. She had a vicious glare on her face, and she let out a menacing growl. Her right hand reached for the handle of her sword, as she was sorely tempted to finish what she started at the barracks. However, before she could grasp her sword, her hand clenched into a fist above the handle, and a pained look appeared on her visage, as if she were somehow fighting herself.

"You see!" Dolby announced. "She's a dangerous criminal! She must die!"

"Sir…" one of the guards spoke, "if she were so dangerous, I don't think she would've stopped herself just now."

"Are you mad?! Look at what she did to me at the barracks! Now seize them or I'll have your jobs!"

"How about we take your job instead, old man." a voice said from behind the Mayor.

"What!?" Dolby asked in surprise. He turned around to see the entire class of knight trainees standing behind him, each with their sword drawn. "What are you doing, you whippersnappers? We're trying to detain a threat to society."

"The only threat to society we see around here is you!" one of the youths shouted back. "Why don't you tell your men the real reason why the Chief is leaving us!"

One of the Mayor's men blinked. "That is the woman Mayor Dolby hired to train our new trainees." He then turned to his boss. "Why is she leaving us, sir?"

"She couldn't cut the mustard!" Dolby quipped.

Everyone groaned from the Mayor's bad pun.

"I tried to encourage her to keep at it, and she brutally assaulted me! For no reason!"

"That is a bald-faced lie!" Cecilia retorted, coming to confront the Mayor. "You've been trying to flirt with Elmina ever since she got here. And when she refused to conform to your desires, repeatedly I might add, you wouldn't relent. You had the gall to try and fondle her, and that was the last straw in her book. You got the thrashing you so richly deserved."

The Mayor's soldiers gasped in shock. "Is that true, sir?" one of them inquired.

"None of it!" Dolby snapped. "She's one of those demon's accomplices! She's completely unscrupulous and will stoop to anything!"

"Excuse me?!" Cecilia exclaimed. "I happen to be Princess Cecilia of Adlehyde, Shaman of the Guardians! Are you calling me an unscrupulous fiend who'll stoop to anything?"

Dolby spent the next few minutes stammering, trying to recover from the shock. Finally, he managed to regain his composure. "Y... y... you can't be serious!" he finally said. "You're just trying to scare me!"

"Am I?" Cecilia asked in a dangerous tone. At that point, the sorceress' patience had worn out as well. She produced a blue, tear shaped crystal, and held it aloft for all to see. She focused her will upon it, and it glowed with a bright azure aura, and sparkles of magic appeared around the crystal, imbuing it with power. The Mayor screamed in fright, and leaped back in horror, covering his face. Everyone else on the pier was frozen in utter shock. They'd never seen the Tear Drop manifesting its power before, and the demonstrative display lit up the whole pier with a sapphire glow.

A few seconds later, the glow subsided, and everything returned to normal. Mayor Dolby, however, continued to cower behind his bodyguards, terrified by what he'd just witnessed. Everyone else was fixing awed glances at both Princess Cecilia, and the Mayor. No one in Port Timney had ever seen anyone put the fear of the Guardians into the Mayor.

Cecilia gave the cringing Mayor a hard look. "Now, if you're quite finished, we are leaving. And I'd start rethinking how much power I really posses if I were you, Mayor Dolby. Just remember, you can't take it with you." Cecilia spun on her heel and made her way up the gangplank with an imperious air. Elmina and Bartholomew slowly followed behind her, both quite intimidated by what they'd seen. Neither of them had seen the Princess use the Tear Drop in many years, and never in such an expressive manner.

The youths were still dumbstruck, until one of them saw Elmina head up the gangplank. "Goodbye, Chief!" he called out, waving his hand. Soon, the others proceeded to do the same, giving their former leader their fond farewells.

Elmina stopped partway when she heard the fanfare from her former students. She turned to them, and couldn't help but cry. Her lips stretched into a touched smile. "Thank you, everyone." she said to them. "Goodbye." She then waved back to them, encouraged by the fact they'd still honored her in spite of the circumstances surrounding her departure. After a few moments, she continued up the gangplank onto the Sweet Candy, followed by Bartholomew.

Down on the pier, the Mayor watched them leave with a grave expression on his battered face. He saw that even his most trusted guards were waving Elmina goodbye. He realized that he was the only one who didn't cheer for her, and that it was too late to make amends. He walked though the crowd with his head bowed, heading back to his office at the town hall, alone.

Some time later, the sun was setting over the Inner Sea, as the Sweet Candy continued its trek up north towards Arctica. The waves lightly crashed against the sides of the ship, and the salty sea air washed over the deck, as the crew worked hard to keep the sea vessel on course.

Elmina and Cecilia stood by the railing, watching the skies over the horizon taking an orange, reddish hue as the sun continued to set. A light breeze blew over the rails through their hair. Elmina had an indecipherable expression on her face, while Cecilia looked more concerned. Even though they'd escaped the clutched of Mayor Dolby, she knew a far more powerful and evil foe existed somewhere in the world, and it was up to her to stop him, should the Guardians had given the word.

Captain Bartholomew came up behind them, his feet echoing against the wooden deck. "Good news, ladies." he began.

Both Cecilia and Elmina turned to face him.

"We're making good time. With his breeze, we should reach the Artican pier by dawn."

"That's wonderful!" Cecilia replied with a joyful smile.

"Thanks, Captain." Elmina added.

"Your most welcome." Bartholomew responded. "I do hope you're feeling better."

Elmina gave him a rueful smile. "Please don't take it personally. I'm still a bit sore over what the Mayor tried to pull back there."

"You mean-"

Elmina shook her head. "Everything the Princess said was true. Mayor Dolby was planning to fornicate with a married woman." She held up her left hand. On the second to left finger was a shining diamond ring, with a gold and silver band. Delicately carved onto the band were seven swords, lined up together.

"Oh my," Batholomew commented, awed by the wedding ring and sickened by the audacity of Mayor Dolby.

"That old man truly has no honor." She closed her emerald eyes for a moment, shaking her head. "Oh my goodness," she said, silently reprimanding herself, "I haven't even introduced myself." She held out her right hand. "I am Elmina Van Burace of the Fenril Knights of Arctica."

"Wh... wh... wh... wh... wh... what?!" Bartholomew spouted. "Van Burace? You're Jack's wife?"

"Yes." she replied with a proud smile, "And happily married, at that."

"Well I'll be." the diminutive captain remarked. He finally caught himself and shook Elmina's gloved hand. "Sorry about that. Shouldn't leave a woman hanging like that." He then thought about what Elmina said earlier. "Wait a minute, I thought all the Fenril Knights were slaughtered when Arctica was destroyed by the demons."

"Jack and I are the only ones who survived." Elmina replied in a mournful voice, recalling the sadness of that dark day. "Unfortunately, we got separated. It was only a few years ago that we finally found each other again."

"Sounds like a truly tragic tale, much worse than what happened back at Port Timney. You were separated from Jack for all those years?"

"Yes." Elmina replied emotionally, "It was the worst time in my life. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone." Tears began to fall from her eyes once more.

Bartholomew bowed his head. He could tell Elmina had suffered greatly during that dark time, and didn't ask for any specifics. "Anyway, as I said, we'll reach Arctica by dawn. Just leave it to the Sweet Candy." He was trying to cheer Elmina up, seeing her saddened state.

"I still can't believe you called it that." Elmina replied. "I don't want to know what you were thinking."

"Many people say that. Well, I need to get back to work. So long for now, ladies." Bartholomew took his leave, and went back to guiding the ship and its crew.

Elmina went back to the rail, looking over the horizon. "I know you're out there," she said into the distance. "I could never forget your vile presence. And when I find you, I will destroy you." She drew her sword and pointed it towards the horizon. "NEVER AGAIN WILL YOU TORTURE THE PEOPLE I LOVE, ALHAZAD!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "NEVER AGAIN!!"

Off in the distance, a humongous silhouette of robed shape of Alhazad appeared over the waters. His booming laughter carried off in all directions. And then, it vanished without a trace.

Cecilia gasped in fright at the sight of the image of Alhazad.

"Every thing alright down there," a crewman called from the mast.

Cecilia looked up and saw the man looking at them. "It's nothing.." she responded. "I... must've seen a ghost."

"Don't scare us like that, Cecilia. Tough enough manning this ship."

"Sorry."

Cecilia went back to looking over the oceans, looking quite embarrassed. "I guess none of them saw it." she remarked,

"Or heard it, either." Elmina added.

Cecilia turned to face her. "You saw it, too?"

"Yes." the redhead replied, still looking towards the horizon. "He's just toying with us. He probably already knows we're onto him."

"How? He may be highly intelligent, and extremely powerful, but he's not a god, and not even they know everything."

"You've got a point there, but it still wouldn't surprise me. Nevertheless, we have to stop him. We can't let him reenact the horrors of the past."

Cecilia looked a bit perplexed. "Is he going to reenact the horrors of the past?" she thought to herself. "If he truly has a malefic purpose in mind, why haven't the Guardians informed me by now. Is he once step ahead of us yet again? If it was him that kept us from teleporting to Arctica, why have the Guardians remained silent? I just don't understand." Cecilia stopped her train of thought, deciding to sort it out later, when they had more answers.

Chapter Text

Erica clung tightly to Aubrey’s lapel of his long coat, drifting into a deep sleep. A dream seeped up in her mind. A memory from long ago; The foreboding Pandemonium leered over the Dream Chasers...

“ YOU CAN’T GO ERICA! YOU’RE TOO YOUNG!” Jack all but screamed at Erica. The 13 year old shook with anger, they had been fighting for hours, ever since they left the camp site.

“ BUT JANE HAS BEEN ON QUESTS WITH YOU! SHES ONLY A YEAR OLD THAN ME!!”

“ --And Jane has been a treasure hunter way longer than you! You’re MY kid and while HER family may let her run wild- I’m not putting you in danger!”

“ It isn’t fucking fair!”

“ DON’T SWEAR AT ME YOUNG LADY!”

The yelling went back and forth. Rudy, Hanpan, and Cecilia stayed back, wanting no parts of it. Jack’s temper was infamous, and Erica’s mirrored that of her father’s. Both too hard headed to even understand the other.

“ So what the hell am I supposed to do? Stay here and wait for you to die!?” Erica was crying now. Jack grabbed the girl and slammed her back into the Golem; Asguard.

“ I said NO. And if I die, we’re all dead! DO YOU HEAR ME!”

Erica visibly growled then finally broke, sobbing and fell to her knees. “ I don’t want to lose you.” She wept. “ I don’t want to lose you like I lost mom!” she continued to cry. Jack turned to walk inside, with Rudy and Cecilia following close behind.

“ We’ll be back Erica. I promise.” Rudy called to her over his shoulder. As the party they left her alone outside with Asguard.

The dream shifted, and she was throwing rocks into an old fountain. A distant memory.. She recalled it was when she saw a ‘ghost’. There she saw what was a someone across from her, but it was weeping sadly. Huddled in a cloak. She walked over to it slowly. “ Hey.. Are you okay?” she asked gently. “ I’m not going to hurt you.” He had acknowledged her then as she went to approach him, a gentle hand on his cloaked and bony shoulder. Young Erica gave a the creature warm smile as looked at him.. Trying to find his eyes behind the mask. “ I don’t want to fight, I just want to talk.” It didn’t occur to her that in the dream it was a younger Alhazad. You never really know who you’re dream about while the dream is happening, sometimes you remember when you wake up.

Things faded, and changed. She was standing outside of the pub as she watched her father talk to her mother. The teenager fumed beside Rudy. “ Why can I go in!?”

“ Why can’t I ever go with him on his dates with mom?!” Erica glared in to the warm pub, watching her father make a fool of himself in front of her mother. Erica sat outside with a cold hamburger and root beer. Hanpan nibbled away at some fruit and a few nuts.

“ Because your father said so.” Hanpan replied. “ Look, your mom doesn’t even remember him. She won’t remember you either, let him slowly work his.. Charm-”

“ Puh, yeah okay.” Erica scoffed rolling her eyes.

“ It will take time, Erica.” Hanpan said gently.

“ Where was she? Why did she leave us? And now she doesn’t remember??” Erica was still bitter about the argument her father had had with her that morning about rushing into the pub. They’d been leasing a room at the Inn for weeks now. She wanted to go back to Arctica.. With or with out her parents. “ This is dumb. She had NO memory of us. I can't be alone with her. We went back home and set up a place to live.. And now we’re here to get mom and I can’t even TALK to her yet unless dad is there to watch what I say??!”

The amnesic Elmina eventually noticed Erica’s scowling face watching them, through the window, and the red head came outside, as Jack rushed behind her. She turned her attention to the girl, and Erica froze. “ So, you’re seems to not let us get to known one another just yet, hmm?’ Erica didn’t know what to say, she just shook her head. Her mom looked just the same as she did all those years ago. She wanted to hug her, cry into her chest.. Elmina looked the girl over, and sighed again. “ Whatever happened to your mom? Goodness you look just like your father. Are their any women in your life to mentor you?”

Erica shook her head again.

Elmina gave a defeated smile. “ Well, he’s really winning me over getting me to visit the Kingdom of Arctica… if anything, I’ll go just to make sure you have some positive female influence in your life.” She smiled gently at Erica. Jack visibly did a ‘YES’ gesture with his fists. Erica couldn’t restrain herself and hugged her estranged mother tightly. Taking the amnesic Elmina by surprise.

Alhazad had spent most of his childhood in Pandemonium. His brother Zeikfried would sneak to him at night- when they were younger. Telling them grand stories of their home world; Hyades. How they were the future rulers of the demon race. Princes, and demon royalty- all the amazing things they had back at home. That they would make Filagaia their new home, and it will be just as grand and amazing as Hyades.

Pandemonium was nice, but Zeik would tell stories how nothing compared to the palace they were born in.

Yet, Those days with Zeik seemed like a shadow of a memory. Zeik was in his late teens, and Alhazad was shy a few years than his older brother, well ‘years’ as in demon years.. But No one took him seriously. It was as if he had yet to earn any respect- yet the conventionally attractive demons were fawned over, listened to, held in high regard. Even demons younger than him were given turns to speak out, and suggest things for their race during the war. Like is much younger Belselk. But given Belselk’s size.. No one was going to tell that young boy “no”.

Zeik wasn’t interested in finding a suitor- frankly, none of the demonessess did it for him, and when they tried finding a male partner- or anything in between. He turned them away. Which was fine no one really needed to do that. Asexuality and aromantics were common among demons. There were other means of carrying on their bloodline. As long as one of them could pro-create on their own. Like their Mother.

Alhazad on the other hand, hung on the desperate hope for love. How he wished he could find someone to share his findings with, share his writing to, to enchant and romance, he loved hearing stories about Knights and their lovers, wishing so badly he could be someone’s white knight- that’s who he was after all. He’d be the White Knight, Zeik the Blue, Belselk the Black.. They had yet to find a red. Never the less romances that they managed to save from their old home- lay all about in his room. But every attempt at courting one of the demons his age was met with humiliation. He wasn’t prude, or in any way of speaking impolite. He didn’t feel like he was owed a relationship.. He wanted to share his life with SOMEONE. He was so lonely… He had various qualifications of a good partner, and lover. He thought. He had medical skills that would make someone feel worshiped if he was given the chance to be psychical with someone. Zeik would point that there wasn’t anything ‘wrong’ with him. Alhazad’s body betrayed him, no one could see past it. No one could look beyond that.

The young demon’s red eye watched excitedly as the warriors returned to the castle, yet another success at defeating the humans once again. But some soldiers came back gravely wounded, or dead. There was worry how the Elw were forging a sword…

Luceid walked with them, their desire feeding her need to survive. She had turned on her brothers and sisters - the Guardian Lords. And sided with the demons when they arrived. She believed with these metal aliens that humans were unfit to rule Filgaia.

The robed demon hovered closely by a archway, where many of the Generals were walking to.. The hall fed into a great camber. His oldest brother was invited in for the discussion. As he would be the future ruler of Filgaia when he became of age. Trained and instructed by the very best of the royal council of Hyades.

Alhazad wondered where his place in all of this was. The young demon was by far more intellectual than the rest. He offered many suggestions to the Generals before they went into battle. But they were cruel to him, they ignored him, they treated him as if were some kind of animal. Even though his Mother demanded otherwise. She herself seemed to revel in his misery. Saying all this heart ache was a good thing, that it would make him more ruthless and heartless, how he'd be the most twisted of her children. Both physically and mentally.

He brooded over this thought for a moment, ease-dropping on the meeting. He fidgeted with his pendulum as it swung around towards the ceiling, floating with his gift of levitation.

He was always disheartened how the other demons never recognized his talents. His dark magic and other various skills out did even the best caster among their forces. But they ignored him. Clearly a demon disgusting and disfigured such as himself harbored no intelligence. Zeikfried would defend him, but the older prince was always ushered away from his robed brother. Their schemes during their younger years a distance memory. Zeik would call him right hand man, and promised him when it was his turn to inherit Filgaia, Alhazad will rule beside him- and they would call themselves the Quarter Knights. Which was right, they were knighted since they were children. With a promise and an oath to create a world for the demon race. Proud and noble…

Lost in a memory of his childhood, something hit him from behind, hard. Breaking him of his trance. Rotten food stained his robe, the smell hung the air. Undignified he turned around seeing one of the demons in their army laugh at him. " I don't know why you bother, you freakshow. You know no one thinks of you as our equal. You're hideous, no one will ever love you. Your own Mother forces you to cover up, just so the rest of us aren't plagued by your appearance. "

He didn’t understand why the other demons were so relentlessly cruel to him. Mistreatment of other demons and murder was frowned upon. They were a dying species; an oath to never kill another was their creed. How he wished there was an exception. Which he mused about as he glared at the reptilian looking man before him. The majority of the monsters which ran free on Filgaia were of his own creation. He thought about all the fun ways he could turn him inside out, remove his organs from his body and put them in a sack of skin. His eye blazed and narrowed glowing with frustration..

“ You’ll never know the gentle touch of a woman, how the hell do you even do it anyway? Huh? Alone with yourself? Do you even have a dick-”

“ Leave me be.” Alhazad growled. A warning, he wished one of his brothers were near; any of them. And much to his relief. Belselk turned the corner.. Younger than Alhazad, but still a brute force to be reckoned with. The boy was only shy of an adolescent. The young General- to be, saw the other demon taunting Alhazad and slammed him hard against the wall with all his might. He towered over every adult of the demon race.

“ Why the fuck aren’t you out there? Why are you fucking around in here?!” Belselk squeezed the smaller demon by his throat. “ We gave you an order- where the hell are the 12 heads of the Elw you swore you’d deliver. Get the fuck outside or it will be YOUR head on display.” the larger demon kicked the reptilian looking demon. Belselk growled at the lesser demon as he scrambled to his feet and left their sights. By this time, Alhazad had left-

Leaving, angry with himself for never standing up. He hated violence. He wanted things to be solved with words, communication. They were civilized beings. All this bloodshed and murder and war was.. Pointless. They could just solve things diplomatically— quietly,.. Behind the scenes. If only they had taken the invasion slowly.. He had so many ideas, plans, and knew if they were executed properly - they would win the war.

“ Alhazad.” The young Belselk called out to him.

“ I have things I need to do, thank you. My fellow duke.” He looked over his shoulder to see the larger demon give him a grim look. Grateful the tears were always hidden behind his golden mask Alhazad hovered away, taking refuge outside in the courtyard. He curled by the edge of the fountain, manipulating the water with his claw. Weeping quietly to himself, for all the things happening in his young life.

He heard a voice, a human voice!? He looked towards the direction of said voice; He saw a human girl not much younger than him was Speaking to him, static and glitching, like a bad image on a computer screen. He didn’t believe in ghosts. But this.. It startled him, what was a human doing here? Why wasn’t she running. Her touch felt warm, and soothing; no one had ever touched him before in a comforting way. Her words weren’t very clear…and it made him feel conflicted with his emotions.

Chapter Text

Aubrey gasped awake dream his dream, irritated with himself, the memory left him then. It was well over 1,000 years ago. And he wondered where it came from, and what triggered it. Feeling Erica’s warm body against his form. He smiled slightly to himself… that was a Melania ago, and things were very different now.

The dust was beginning to settle as the sun sank beneath the earth once again. A slight wind began to pick up through the woods. Erica and Aubrey were still hiding in the same spot, though they seemed to be cuddling in order to keep warm. Darksong was close by, glaring at Aubrey since they escaped the castle a few hours ago. Erica had fallen asleep earlier in Aubrey's arms. For some odd reason, she never felt frightened around him, even after witnessing Lilly's brutal death at Aubrey's hands. She had no idea of how much malice existed within her new friend's heart, and the former Alhazad planned to keep it a secret, for the moment. Yawning lightly, the not exactly human Aubrey looked through the trees, and saw the sun sinking below the horizon.

"Erica." he said in her ear, almost imploring her to awaken.

Erica stretched, the voice of her beloved rousing her from her slumber.

" It is dusk now." Aubrey informed Erica. " It should be safe to return to the city."

Erica rose to her feet, and helped Aubrey up along the way, for she still believed in his supposed injury. She sighed mournfully as she looked at him. " I just hope everyone is okay." she began in a somber tone, " Especially Dad. I'd don't know what I would do if anything happened to him."

Aubrey refrained from replying. Although he despised Jack with a passion that was truly unholy, he knew Jack was important to Erica and he would have to live with him. ‘For now.’ he thought to himself.

Erica rubbed her upper arms. “ I was dreaming..” She said as she focused on the sunset.

“ As was I.. What was your dream about?” Aubrey asked pausing beside her, to place a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“ Pandemonium.” She said in a distant voice. Aubrey caught his breath. “ The demon’s castle. Dad and the team went inside, I had to wait outside. It.. Was when the Dark Tear Drop was activated. Like… right before it. It’s when a I saw a ghost at the fountain outside the demon castle. This.. Smaller demon, he was bigger than me. He had a old robe and a golden mask. I…” she blinked. Aubrey hissed a breath and caught himself from replying. “ Like, it’s hard to remember all the details maybe Alhazad had kids??” she made a face, confused. “ Whatever, it doesn’t matter now… But yeah, I dreamt about The war- well. No, about the war and then when we found mom. It as a mix of dreams. I was always upset dad would boot me out of the quests Rudy, Cecilia, and he went on. Often leaving me in the village or with Asguard while they went off the fight the demons. I was only a year younger than Jane, and she’d travel with them! I didn’t get why- I mean, I get it now as an adult. But it still hurt. Although, heh. Thankfully Hanpan suggested I go with them during the Cage Tower thing... Something didn’t feel right- and uh, you heard about it, right?”

“About what?”

“Saint Centour?” she asked. Aubrey lied and shook his head. “ It’s funny how Lilly would always go on about me knowing Alhazad. Because he was the demon I saw the most. I was scared of him, but at the same time. I felt like he was one of the ones I could have a conversation with, rather then.. I dunno like the one who’d threaten me..how he wanted to ‘rip out my spine and beat me with it’..” The human Alhazad coughed. Knowing full well that that had to have been Belselk. He wondered a which point during the second war that Erica had said that, and what she maybe have said to instigate the threat. Belselk usually ignored kids. Aubrey refrained from chuckling, and merely nodded. “Anyway, he had kidnapped all the people of Saint Centour, and experimented on them.” She paused, closing her eyes, recounting the memory. Aubrey tried not to grin, or show any emotion about the whole thing. Saint Centour was an experiment he was still proud of. “ The people didn’t know, and while we were on the Tower- Alhazad showed up and kept us trapped there. That was the first time I saw him, dad freaked out.. angrier than I had ever seen him. He yelled at Alhazad “ YOU!” and it was just… it doesn’t matter. But had I not traveled with dad, I would have been eaten by the monsters. It’s kind spooky. Course, the dreams sometimes go back to when we first found mom after all those years. She didn’t remember us, not at first. And we figured out that she had amnesia.. Slowly but surely, fragments came back to her. One night.. When I was.. 15? She came to me. It was after we had moved back to Arctica, but before the shit show- sorry, mess.. that was Lilly’s whole cult. I don’t know why those dreams always fold over.. Blur together. What did Alhazad have to do with mom?”

Aubrey said nothing. Then changed the subject; “ I dreamt about my brother, and my childhood home, and.. Eh.” He wondered how they dreamt about the same place, and how they both had different views on the castle. Maybe she was the ghost he saw?

“ What? What happened..?”

“ Other de- others were never kind to me, they treated me horridly because I looked different than them... The only one who was kind to me was my brother, who is gone now. As we got older our bond changed, but others who were.. In my Mother’s clutches would also pick on me. Similar to how you were taunted earlier yesterday.” He exited the story, he didn’t want to give too information, but that was jest of the truth.

Erica smiled sadly at him, “ Well, that won’t happen again. I don’t think you look ‘different’ or bad or any of that.” She placed her hand on Aubrey’s heart and he smiled and she blushed at him. Feeling his strong powerful head beat under her palm.. “ Even if you weren’t really handsome, I would still love you. It’s your personality that I love. Looks on the outside change, we won’t be young forever, and bad fights and all kinds of things can mangle a person beyond recognition.. So it doesn’t matter- but I will admit, the tall dark and handsome vampire vibe you got going is really hot. Kinda like Vlad from these vampire stories I’d read.”

Aubrey chuckled. “ Flattered that you compared me to a vampire. Ahh the vampire and the wolf-woman. What a unique paring. But..”

“ But?”

“ Promise? Do you promise me when I change. When I no longer look like this; When I’m a grizzled old man, and my voice is raspy, and horse and rough.. When my skin isn’t smooth anymore, but rough and aged.. When my hair is no longer black, but lighter and the texture changes.. When my smooth fingers turn hard with clauses that feel like claws.” He exhaled as he described his demon form.

“ I promise.” She kissed him on the cheek. Aubrey gave a said smile. How he wanted to believe it. And hoped - when that day eventually came, she would welcome him the way she did now.

Erica and the Demon Lord walked slowly back to town. The streets were mostly deserted, since hardly anyone was brave enough to venture outside in light of what had occurred earlier in the day. Were it not for the thick tension in the air, one would've assumed the city was a ghost town.

Along the way, a man in his sixties, wearing a thick wool jacket with a silver badge attached over his heart region, came up to the couple, trying to look authoritative. "Hey!" he half-shouted. " What are you kids doin' out here?! Get back home where it's safe!"

" Oh great." Erica said under her breath, "the sheriff."

At that moment, a younger man came up beside the sheriff. He was dressed in a similar fashion, his demeanor denoting that he was a subordinate, most likely, the deputy sheriff. "You'd better do what the sheriff says." he said in a somewhat shaky voice, "Or else them phantoms in the castle might come after you."

" Phantoms?" Aubrey asked suspiciously. "What phantoms?"

" Where have you been, boy??" the deputy asked. " Everyone 'round here knows that castle is haunted. Ever since them demons trashed it, the dang place's been a real hellhole! Every ghost and phantom lives there now."

" Oh, cut the crap, Carney!" the sheriff snapped, turning to face his lieutenant. " We don't know how the castle fell, so don't start no crazy talk about ghosts."

" Oh no." Erica groaned, visibly deflated at hearing the rumor of Arctica Castle being haunted - again. " When is this ever gonna end?"

" It ain't crazy, boss!" Carney replied defensively. " What if them workers woke up that devil woman Van Burace killed in there a few years back? That would explain everything."

Darksong groaned, and covered his face with his paw. He'd met quite a few people like the deputy when he was a human.

" Oh yes." Aubrey said sarcastically, " It would definitely explain everything. Routine construction awakens such a powerful demon? I think not."

" What was that, sir?" the deputy spoke to the raven-haired man. " Speak up so we can hear ya!"

" Let 'em be, Carney." the sheriff interjected. " I don't believe that, neither. There ain't no proof of any demons 'round these parts, so shut yer yap and do yer job, for a change."

"Alright, boss."

The sheriff turned back to Aubrey and Erica. " Now you two head on home." he said, trying to be pleasant in the face of his superstitious underling. " We'll take care of anything out of the ordinary. Hear? The city’s under a curfew."

" Gladly." Aubrey replied. He took Erica's hand and continued down the street.

After a minute, Aubrey looked back, and saw the sheriff and his deputy were gone. " Ugh.." he began. " Superstitious people should never gain positions of power." he said in a disapproving frown. “ Believing in children’s fairy tales over simple scientific logic.”

" I agree." Erica responded.

The rest of the walk towards home was reasonably uneventful, until they passed by the local hospital. Darksong paused in front of the building, and suddenly fled inside, his paws scratching along the wood floor. Erica and Aubrey looked at one another.

" OH NO!!" Erica shrieked, running after her pet. She knew it was either Jack or Rudy in the hospital, most likely in a great amount of pain.

Once she got inside, she saw over two dozen people laid up, with various amounts of injuries: Some had broken legs, some had broken arms, a few had head injuries, more than a few had taped ribs. The more seriously injured were unconscious, obviously from the pain. Erica saw Darksong near the northern wall, causing quite a stir.

" Someone get that dog outta here!" an injured man cried out.

" That's no dog!" another exclaimed. " That's a black wolf! AHHHHHH!!!! We're doomed!"

" Knock it off, ya bonehead!" a familiar voice replied from the northern wall, followed by a loud groan of pain.

" DAD!" Erica cried, instantly recognizing the voice. She ran to his bedside, and saw his left leg bound between a pair of splints, with heavy cloth tightly wrapped around them, to hold the leg in place. " Are you okay?" she asked, as tears started forming in her eyes.

" I've been better." Jack replied, wincing from the pain.

Darksong rested his front paws on the side of the bed. Aubrey made his way to the end of the bed, looking at Jack's injured leg. At first, he wished it had been Jack's head that was injured, but then dismissed the idea. ‘He has nothing up there to hurt.’ he thought to himself.

A woman in her mid-forties came to Jack's bedside. Her brunette hair was done up in a bun, and wore a grave expression in her black eyes. She wore a long white coat, with a simple blue dress underneath. She examined his leg, adjusting the bandages a tad. " There." she said. " That should help, for the moment."

" Someone get that dog outta here!" a patient beside Jack called out, before letting out a loud sneeze. " I hate dogs!"

Darksong growled at the patient. ‘I am not a dog.’ he thought to himself.

The doctor turned to Erica, who had a somewhat guilty expression on her face. "Erica." she said in a chiding voice, " You know that pets aren't allowed in the hospital."

The patient sneezed again. " I second that."

" Wimp." Jack muttered.

Aubrey walked over to the wolf, a light smirk on his face. " Looks like you'll have to wait outside, pup." he said in a teasing voice.

Darksong growled at the former demon.

" You know the rules." Aubrey said sternly. "No dogs allowed. Now begone!"

The reincarnated Coldbird snarled at his old enemy, and then made his way out of the hospital.

Erica raised an eyebrow at her beau. " Begone?" she asked. " Where did you learn to talk to animals?"

" At least that darn dog's gone." the allergic worker beside Jack piped in.

" That was... interesting." the doctor remarked, scratching the back of her head. She immediately went back to examining Jack's broken leg. " You may have remembered my father." she said to Jack. " He was the one that aided your wife Elmina in birthing your daughter."

Jack gave the doctor a weak smile. " Where has the time gone?" he asked, before the pain overtook him again.

Erica looked back to her father and to his leg. ‘ It's all my fault!’ she thought to herself. ‘ I can't believe I did this to him!’

The woman doctor sighed gravely, and turned to the couple by the bedside. " Erica." she began, " I think it would be best if you and your friend went home. Your father will be fine. Believe me, he is in the best hands right now."

Erica nodded, and kissed her father on the forehead.

" Take it easy, kiddo." Jack muttered. “ Aubrey, keep an eye on things tonight, okay? Just in case something weird is actually happening. Keep Erica safe.”

“ As you wish.” He said. “ Nothing shall befall your daughter as long as she’s under my care.”

Erica quickly made her way for the door, with Aubrey close behind her.

The rest of the walk towards the house was uninterrupted. However, it meant little to the despondent Erica Van Burace. Walking along, she seemed to be kicking a small rock with each step. Privately, she blamed herself for the collapse of the castle, and the injuries which ensued, for it was her idea to explore the old basement. She hadn't the slightest idea that the consequences could've been so dire.

The young man behind Erica sensed her overwhelming shame. Though he was also a bit upset about the castle collapsing, he saw little choice in the matter. He had to stop Lilly from killing Erica, at any cost. However, the cost was higher than he'd planned, and it would've drawn question to his identity, if the truth were ever discovered.

"Do not blame yourself." Aubrey spoke, trying to reassure Erica. He gently placed his hands upon Erica's shoulders, but the younger Van Burace broke away from his grasp.

" I don't deserve comfort right now." Erica began in a self-loathing tone, " Let alone you. I hurt my mentor, my father-" She held her head, as the full realization of what had transpired hit her. " My Guardians, I am a monster, just like all of them said years ago. I did hurt people, I did something so terrible.. I’m the reason Arctica Castle fell..." She fell onto her knees, crying in the snow. Darksong immediately came to her side, licking her face to try and stop her from crying.

A few feet away, the humanoid form of Alhazad looked at the sobbing Erica with a pronounced frown. He never tolerated anything even remotely resembling whining during his life as a demon, and he didn't plan to start as a human. He walked over to Erica and clamped his right hand down onto her shoulder. Erica tried to shrug him away, but to no avail. Aubrey was unyielding in his grasp.

"Aubrey." Erica started in surprise, "what are you-"

"-Silence!" Aubrey shouted, commanding her complete attention. " Such self-abasing behavior is unbecoming of a knight! Is this the way you plan to conduct yourself when you succeed your mother as the Sword of the Fenril Knights?" he stated. “ You will make mistakes, people will get hurt because of your choices. Bad things will happen. And at times, there be nothing you can do about it. No one is perfect, you aren’t, I’m not. No one is. You’re only human.”

Erica was rendered totally speechless. Her mother and father would use a similar tone when she’d slip into self loathing- but this time.. This was different. It was the kind of tough love she needed at the moment. She'd never been reprimanded in such an forceful manner, except for the time she was caught trying to sneak into the subbasement. Even Darksong shied away from the incognito Demon Lord, who'd lifted up his sunglasses to reveal his burning red eyes, which seemed to bore straight into Erica's soul. Fortunately, there was no one else on the streets, so Aubrey's secret was safe from immediate discovery.

“ Look, Everyone is going to hurt someone, intentionally or not, at some point in our lives. It’s good that you recognize when you have but just because you’ve done that doesn’t mean you’re a horrible person… why beat yourself up about that?”

Erica looked up at her friend's leering face, still a bit intimidated from his previous outburst. " You… you’re right…” she inhaled deep catching her breath from her previous sobs.

Aubrey leaned his face forward towards Erica. " Your mother never allowed such small-minded individuals to define her, she never beat herself up for her mistakes.." he started, being extra careful with his speech. He had stronger terms for such people, but he didn't want to use them in front of Erica. He feared it might've given a hint about his true identity. "…….Why should you be any different?" he said gently.

Erica blinked a few times, taking in what the strange man had said. " You almost sound like you know my mother." she said to him. " Have you met her before?"

Aubrey grit his teeth together, trying to think of an appropriate response. Darksong didn't wait, and moved in on him, giving the man a menacing growl. It disturbed Aubrey's train of thought, and he snarled right back at the wolf.

" Stop it!" Erica spoke up, getting to her feet and standing between them. " Why can't you two get along?"

‘ Because.’ Darksong thought to himself, ‘ he's the enemy.’

Erica sighed to herself, frustrated by the strife between her pet and her new beau. Once she got over her temporary aggravation, she went back to what Aubrey had said earlier. " Still." she said to Aubrey, " I suppose you're right. Mom always said that a warrior who beats herself up is already defeated." Absently, she shook her head, rustling her blonde hair. " And I'm sure she'd have some strong words to say if she saw me at that moment. She always was such a strong woman. Why can't I be that strong?"

" You will be." Aubrey stated concisely, " You have.. An illness. It will take time. Just as it will take time for your father’s leg to mend. Not all injuries are visible. .. You can fight it, Erica…” he sighed. “ In time. For now, we must return to our abode, until this... crisis settles down."

" It's a crisis alright," Erica muttered. ‘ Though I still feel like I caused it.’ she thought to herself.

" Erica?" Aubrey asked.

Erica shook her head when she heard Aubrey’s voice. " It's nothing." she said dismissively. " Alright, let's go home. But first-" She reached up to the top of Aubrey's head, and brought his shades back down over his eyes.

" Oh dear." the former Quarter Knight mused, "I'd almost forgotten."

Erica got a light chuckle out of it. "You're so silly. I still think your red eyes are really nice. They make you look so… charming, mysterious. It’s a nice touch to your black hair." She took the young man's arm and led the way back to the house.

“ Thank you, my heart. Perhaps we both, can guide and aid one another about teaching the other about self acceptance..” He smiled weakly at her.

“ And self love.” She smiled back.

The lights in the windows of the Van Burace house were already on. Erica wondered who could've been home, since only her father, Rudy, and herself had keys to the house. She went to the door, and wasn't surprised to find it locked. She got out her keys, and made her way inside, with Aubrey and Darksong following behind her.

The couple found the inside of the house rather warm, and found the source of the heat coming from the lit fireplace. Aubrey quickly closed the door to keep the heat from escaping outside. He then rejoined Erica by the hearth, warming his hands. After the harsh, tragic day the couple had endured, a warm fire and a safe home was just what they needed.

At that moment, they heard footsteps coming downstairs. They both turned to see the familiar form of Mariel on the stairway. "Finally." the Elw girl said when she saw them. She hurried down the stairs and came to the fireplace. " Where have you been, Erica?" she asked. " Your father has been worried sick about you."

" Um... uh... " Erica hesitantly began. "I was... out."

" Out where?" Mariel inquired, unconvinced by Erica's rather vague answer. " Didn't you hear about the collapse of the castle?"

" Oh... yeah." Erica said in an offhand manner. " That."

" You sound so aghast." Mariel replied with biting sarcasm. " Thirty people were almost killed in that mishap, including your father! A few are still missing as we speak." The deceptively ancient Elw gravely sighed. " If I'd only come a few minutes earlier, I might have been able to stop it."

‘ Unlikely.’ Aubrey thought to himself.

" You were there?" Erica asked in surprise.

" Yes, I sensed impending danger at the castle. I went there to warn your father and Rudy." Her eyes closed at that point. " And then, I felt the swell of evil power deep within the castle, which soon began to collapse. Your father was injured by a falling beam. Had I not come, it might have been much worse."

" You saved my father's life!?" Erica asked, tears coming to her brown eyes. " Oh, thank you, Mariel." she cried, hugging the Elw girl.

" I did what I could." the flower girl said dismissively. She opened her eyes and saw Aubrey standing by the fireplace, facing them. The flames lit his back. Giving him an ominous glow.. Light from a nearby oil lamp made his glasses glow a strange shade of orange. Adding more to his demonic energy " Erica." Mariel began, " What's he doing here?"

" What? Oh yeah, you've never really met." She got to her feet and motioned to the lavender-clad man. " This is my boyfriend, Aubrey. He lives here now."

Mariel lowered her head, though keeping her eyes on Erica. " Does your father approve of this arrangement?"

" Y... yeah, of course he does." Erica said in a sheepish voice. She decided not to tell Mariel that she excluded Jack from the decision-making process.

Mariel shook her head, airing her disapproval. " No good can come of this relationship, Erica. I sense such a strong aura of darkness about him."

" Darkness? Come on, Mariel." Erica went to Aubrey's side and placed her arm around his waist. " Aubrey's is the sweetest person I know. There's nothing evil about him."

The Elw girl's stare didn't falter. Nonverbally, she was telling Erica that she didn't believe her.

" Please." Erica retorted, " It's more than I can say for those three hecklers who keep bugging me."

Mariel relaxed her posture. She knew about Joe and his friends from Rudy. " You ran into them again?"

" Yeah, and this time, they decided to get physical." A smirk came to Erica's face. " I doubt they'll make that mistake again."

" I sort of guessed." Mariel mused. "I can see the bruises on your face. Are you sure you're alright?"

" I'm fine, Mariel."

"Don't give me that!" the flower girl said sharply. " That hand needs immediate attention. Let me see it."

Erica held out her right hand, and noticed that it was swollen and badly bruised. She remembered when she accidentally struck Lilly's ARM in the basement, and surmised that was when it happened. Mariel went into her pouch, and produced a small vial of bluish liquid. She pulled the stopper on the vial, and poured the contents on Erica's injured hand. The liquid somewhat stung the broken skin on her hand, but was no more unpleasant. Mariel rubbed the liquid into Erica's hand, which soon acted to mend the bruises.

"There." the Elw girl said with a mild sense of satisfaction, "That should help. Just don't get into any more fights for the next day or so, okay?"

"Thanks again." Then, a thought came to Erica. "Um, why are you still here? I'd have thought you'd be back on your way to Rosetta with Alician."

Mariel shook her head again. "The borders have been closed for the night. They're hoping to find the culprit."

"Culprit?"

"That was no accident." Mariel said in a hard, accusing voice, "That was sabotage. Someone deliberately attempted to destroy the castle. Someone... inhuman."

Aubrey made a low, rumbling noise in his throat, his lips drawing tightly together.

"Be careful, Erica." the ageless Mariel warned. "Evil is closer than you realize." She turned around and made her way upstairs.

Erica blinked a few times. "What did she mean by that," she asked. She shook her head of wild blonde hair. "I don't want to think about it. I need to go to bed. Good night, Aubrey dear." She hugged the young man tightly, and then proceeded upstairs as well.

Darksong watched her head for her room, and soon followed her. Before going up the stairs, he growled menacingly at Aubrey, warning him not to come after Erica. He then went up to the second floor.

Erica entered her bedroom, with Darksong bringing up the rear. The black wolf used his head to close the door behind him. He didn't want Alhazad coming into the room to take advantage of Erica while she slept. He curled up the side of the bed, the door in his line of sight, and quickly fell asleep.

Erica changed out of her clothes, and into a pink satin nightgown, something her mother had bought her for her last birthday. She quickly got under the covers of her bed, desperate to get away from the events of the previous day.

The younger Van Burace tossed and turned in bed, trying to fall asleep. However, thoughts about her father dominated her mind, denying her much needed rest. Anxiously, she pulled the sheets about her, trying to shield herself from the guilt and shame over Jack's fate.

"Still worried about your father?" a voice asked from nearby.

Erica nearly jumped out of bed at that. She frantically looked about, and saw Aubrey standing at the opposite side of the bed from Darksong. "HEY!" she exclaimed. "How long have you been there?"

Darksong jumped onto the bed and saw Aubrey on the other side. The wolf's jaw dropped in a very humanlike fashion, and his eyes went extremely wide. ‘How the hecht did he get in?’ he thought to himself. ‘I thought I closed that door shut.’ He was wishing he had his old hands again, so he could've locked the door. Then he remembered Aubrey's true identity, and realized it wouldn't have stopped him. If he'd closed the door, it wouldn't have stopped him. If he'd locked the door, it wouldn't have stopped him. If he'd boarded the door shut, barricaded it with several hundred pound chains, sealed a huge iron grate in front of it, and pushed the bed in front of the grate, it wouldn't have stopped him. His head sunk low, his ears folding down. ‘Maybe I can't stop you, Alhazad.’ the former Coldbird Renox thought to himself, ‘but I can't let you destroy any more innocent lives.’

Aubrey chuckled to himself at Darksong's reaction.

Erica was still rather confused. She could've sworn Aubrey was not standing by the bed thirty seconds earlier, and she didn't hear the door open, or anyone come in the room. The blonde woman decided not to try and figure it out. She looked to Aubrey again. "Yeah, I am worried. I just-"

"He will be fine." Aubrey interrupted. "He has recovered from worse injuries, hasn't he? After all, he survived the Second Demon War... reasonably intact." Privately, he wished it wasn't the case. "A broken leg won't stop him."

"True." Erica said. "Dad has always been a survivor."

The former Alhazad didn't comment, and looked to the door. "I have a feeling Rudy shall return before the night is out, so I shall sleep on the sofa tonight. If you need me for any reason, I shall be downstairs."

Darksong was going to protest, since he was fond of the sofa. However, in light of his failure to keep Alhazad out of Erica's room, he remained silent.

The strange man at bedside leaned over and kissed Erica on the forehead. "You need your sleep." he said in a clinical voice. "Sweet dreams." He turned and headed for the door before Erica could've responded. He made it way out, closing the door behind him. His footsteps echoed downstairs, fading in the distance.

Erica sat up in bed, listening to the footsteps of the one she loved. A warm smile crossed her face as she thought about him. He'd always stood by her, when everyone else sought to shun her, and worse. She foresaw a very long and happy relationship, despite what Mariel had said.

Darksong sat on the end of her bed, his paw over his eyes. ‘This is not good.’ he thought. ‘That madman has Erica completely enraptured. How do I get through to her?’

"Darksong." Erica said in a dreamy voice, "I can't believe I found someone so wonderful." She absently petted the black wolf, sighing in delight.

‘Wonderful, my butt.’ Darksong silently retorted in his mind, rolling his blue eyes. ‘I have to find a way to warn her, before it's too late.’

Chapter Text

Erica's sleep was disrupted by loud noises coming from outside her window. She got up, and opened her window to hear people screaming. She looked out, and saw houses burning down the streets. She gasped when she saw monsters running through town, chasing after people. Erica screamed herself as she realized Arctica was under attack again, just like in the past. Darksong came to her side, raising his paws onto the base of the window so he could look outside. He let a long wail that almost sounded human. The scene outside was only too familiar to him.

Suddenly, her bedroom door burst open, and Jack charged frantically into the room. "Erica!" he said urgently. "The house is being attacked! We need to get out of here!"

"Dad!?" Erica asked, confused by all the chaos. Last she knew, her father was in the hospital with a broken leg. However, before she could sort it out, she heard screaming from downstairs. "RUDY!!" she cried out, recognizing the voice. She then heard demented feminine laughter carrying up the stairwell, sounding more metallic than human. Erica shivered in fear, knowing the voice was that of a Metal Demon.

"We don't have much time!" Jack shouted. "Out the window! Quickly!"

Erica grabbed her sword and sheath, and climbed out the bedroom window, jumping down two floors and landing in the snow. Her father followed close behind her, and then Darksong leaped out after them.

"DADDY!!" a voice called from behind them. Erica looked back, and saw that the house was on fire. Her eyes looked upwards and she saw Alician hanging out the open window on the second floor, a terrified look on his face.

"OH NO!" Erica cried out. "Alician!!"

Jack quickly ran towards the burning house, stopping just under the second story window. "Alician, jump!" he shouted up to his young son. "Daddy will catch you!"

At that moment, Erica saw a red shape standing in the window of her bedroom. It paused for a moment before moving out of sight. "Hurry up, Alician!" she shouted. "There's a monster in the house!"

The sound of splintering wood came from Alician's window. Erica guessed that the door to her younger brother's room had just been broken down.

Alician turned around, and screamed at what he saw behind him. Instantly, Mariel came to his side.

"Come on!" Jack implored. "COME ON!!"

"Have faith, Alician!" Mariel said urgently to her charge.

The Elw girl helped Alician onto the base of the window. Both Jack and Erica saw the boy shaking in total fright. Nothing had ever terrified him so much in his short life. He was two stories off the ground on a narrow perch. After a few tense moments, he leaped off the window base towards his father, who was standing directly below him. The young boy seemed to descend in slow motion as he neared the waiting arms of Jack. A couple of seconds later, Alician landed hard atop Jack, causing him to fall onto the ground. The elder Van Burace had the wind knocked out of him, but he was no worse for wear. He'd suffered much worse during the war.

Erica was breathing rapidly.. When she looked back at the window, she saw the same red shape from earlier, standing right behind Mariel. "MARIEL!!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Unfortunately, Erica's warning came too late. The figure raised its bladed weapon overhead, and plunged it deep into Mariel's back, exiting out her midriff. The Elw's whole body froze, and she had a horrified expression on her ageless face. Her limp body proceeded to slump against the window base, and then slid down onto the floor, out of sight from the ground.

"NOOO!!!" Erica shrieked as she saw Mariel's centuries long life come to a merciless end. The red figure walked away from the window, and Erica swore she heard the figure chuckling to itself.

Jack quickly got to his feet when he heard Erica's scream, still holding his ribs. "What happened, Erica!?" he asked.

"Wh... where's Aunt Mariel," Alician asked, getting to his feet. He looked up to the window and saw nobody, only an unfamiliar red stain running down from outside the window. "What's that red stuff?" he asked, pointing towards the window.

Jack gasped as he looked at the second story window. He looked to his daughter, who was also staring at the window. She knew the red stuff Alician had pointed out was blood, Mariel's blood.

Jack saw it as well, and quickly surmised what had happened. "By the Guardians.." he swore. "Not Mariel. This can't be happening, not again." He sighed heavily to himself. "This is just like what happened years ago."

Suddenly, a ragtag group of monsters entered the backyard, growling viciously and bloodlust in their eyes. Two small grey bipeds stood among them, bobbing their heads like their necks were made of springs. Also, three bluish winged demons hovered alongside them. They weren’t the same ones Erica had been feeding in her hind out, they had no emotion in there eyes. No recognition of who Erica was.

"Stand back, kids!" Jack ordered, holding his arm out to ward off his children. He quickly drew his powerful sword, the Juggernaut. "COSMIC NOVA!!" he shouted, slashing his sword through the air, sending a wave of solar energy into the monsters, wiping them out completely.

"Holy!" Erica remarked, amazed her father possessed such strength.

The sound of creaking wood came from behind them. Everyone looked back, and saw the house beginning to collapse.

"Don't just stand there!" Jack snapped. "Move it!"

Erica, Jack, Darksong, and Alician turned and sprinted away from the house. They all heard it caving in on itself as they ran. A few burning boards fell in their direction.

The Van Burace family stopped a few yards from the edge of the backyard. When they looked back, they saw that their home was in ruins, and continued to burn.

"Oh no!" Erica exclaimed. "Rudy! Aubrey!"

She looked about, and saw a good part of the town was ablaze. More than that, dead bodies littered the streets, their blood staining the frozen ground. "What's going on here??" she asked, frightened by the carnage around her. "Where'd all these monsters come from?"

"DADDY!!" Alician screamed, clutching to his father's leg for dear life.

Jack breathed heavily, as the chaos he witnessed in the past was being repeated. "I told her not to open that trap-door." he said under his breath. "Now all hell has broken loose."

"Dad?" Erica asked in concern.

The elder Van Burace didn't repeat himself, nor did he have the heart to tell his daughter that Rudy was dead before the house collapsed, while his killer was very much alive. He looked back to the house, brandishing his sword. "Alright, Harken!" he shouted towards his ruined home. "Show yourself!"

Erica gasped at the mention of her father's old enemy. Beside her, Darksong whined in fear. A few seconds later, she saw a red shape emerging from the burning house, the same one she saw standing behind Mariel before the Elw girl was murdered. As the figure walked further from the house, Erica got a better look at it, and gasped in fright. A very tall woman was approaching them, much too tall to be human. She wore gleaming red armor, reinforced around the midriff with mystic silver, and lined with silver and gold. She wore a loose red bodysuit underneath her armor. Her armored boots tread upon the snow-covered ground, hardly making any noise. Silver gauntlets graced her slender forearms. In her hands was a large scythe with a viciously curved blade. A long black cape trailed behind her, reaching to the ground. The woman's long red hair flowed behind her, reaching past her waist at full length. The woman continued to walk towards them in a very slow, like a cat prowling towards its cornered mice. Soon, Erica was able to make our the woman's facial features. Her piercing green eyes were fixed on them, and she wore a dark smirk on her face. Her skin was very pale, almost lifeless in appearance. Erica saw a pair of small metallic wings in her hair, keeping it behind her shoulders. A green headband kept her red bangs out of her eyes. Although it had been many years since Erica had seen Lady Harken in person, the demoness' menacing presence continued to instill terror into her heart.

Harken stopped short of them, placing the butt of her scythe in the snow, and resting her left hand on her hip. The demoness stood a good eight feet tall, including her stilettos. Asrael dripped with fresh blood, along with a silver-like substance. Erica soon realized what had become of Rudy, and possibly of Aubrey as well. They were both dead, slain by the towering madwoman in her midst. The Van Burace house continued to burn behind her, creating the effect that Lady Harken had emerged from Hell itself. Many people had called Harken a devil woman, and Erica realized they weren't far off the mark.

Erica looked to her family. Jack wore a look of grim determination. Darksong was whining in unveiled fear. Alician continued to cling to Jack's leg, utterly terrified of the giantess before them. She seemed colossal to the diminutive Alician. Erica felt the same way when she and the other Dream Chasers encountered Harken during the war. And yet, something about the demon's countenance seemed frighteningly familiar to Erica.

The evil swordswoman looked straight at Jack, her cruel smirk illuminated by the burning houses around them. "It's been a long time, sweetheart." she said in her inhuman, metallic voice.

"It hasn't been long enough!" Jack shot back. "I never wanted to see you again, Harken." A sigh of anger came from the elder Van Burace. "I can't... let you leave this town."

Erica gasped to herself. She realized that the voice in her dreams belonged to none other than Lady Harken. What she couldn't understand was her exact connection to the evil demoness.

Harken tilted her head to the side, a somewhat sad look on her deathly pale face. "You didn't miss me? Oh, I'm hurt."

Jack chose not to comment on that.

Darksong came from beside Erica, and stood between Jack and Lady Harken. Instead of growling at the demoness, he whimpered in sorrow.

"What are you doing, Darksong?!" Erica demanded of her pet. "Attack her!"

However, the black wolf refused to attack, refused to even show any hostility. He just contained to whine at Harken, almost like he was pleading with her not to fight Jack and Erica.

Harken looked down into the wolf's eyes, and her lips stretched into a dark smile. She knelt down in front of Darksong, and placed her left index and middle finger under his chin. A soft chuckle escaped from the evil swordswoman. "Yes, you always hated watching us fight." she said to Darksong. "Didn't you, Old Wolf?"

"WHAT?!" Erica exclaimed, and walked past her father to stand beside Darksong. "Harken! How do you know that name?"

Lady Harken merely looked up at Erica, and her dark smile broadened into a knowing grin, showing her polished white teeth.

"Erica," Jack started urgently, "..take Alician and Darksong and get outta here. I'll handle this alone."

"But Dad-" Erica protested.

"DO IT!!" Jack snapped at his daughter. "GET OUTTA HERE!! THIS IS MY FIGHT!!"

"But I can't just leave you!"

Harken rose to her feet, grinning at the Van Buraces. "Now, now, Erica." she began in a chiding voice, "be a good girl and do what your father says."

"Be a good girl and do what your father says-” Erica said to herself in a nasal, sarcastic voice. " I’m twenty three years old, witch! Who do you think you are? My mother?" Shaking her head, she turned to face her father. " Alright, Dad. Please be careful."

"I will." Jack replied, not taking his eyes off Harken.

"No!!" Alician pleaded, "Daddy!"

"Go, Alician!" Jack said to his young son, "it's too dangerous to stay here!"

Hanpan crawled out of Jack's pocket, and looked about the edge of the backyard. What he saw really disturbed him. "Uh, Jack.." he began, " You'd better have a look around."

Jack did as his partner requested, and saw a horde of demons surrounding the backyard. They were the same kind of monsters he'd encountered when he finally returned to Arctica Castle during the war. He saw floating diamonds, evil green sphinxes, and more than a few skeletal chariot riders. "No way!" he declared. "The backyard is surrounded?!"

"WHAT!? NO!" Erica spoke. "We can't escape!" she looked to the green sphinxes, these weren’t the same injured ones by her hide out. These.. Didn’t know her.. She didn’t understand it. Why was this happening?

"AHHHHH!!!" Alician screamed. "Monsters! Everywhere!"

Jack turned back to Harken, an incredulous look on his face. " What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he demanded of the dark warrior.

" You're not slipping through my fingers, Jack!" the armored demoness replied with a dark smile. "Not this time. Finally, after all these long years, I have you all to myself. You are mine, Jack Van Burace, now and forever!" She gave Jack a vicious grin, one a cat would've worn when cornering a mouse.

"She's insane.." Erica said under her breath.

"DADDY!!" Alician screamed, terrified by the towering demoness before them.

Jack sighed bitterly, realizing what had to be done. "So be it!" he began, and brandished his sword towards his foe. "LADY HARKEN!!" he shouted defiantly. "I WILL DESTROY YOU!! RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!"

Harken emitted a barely audible chuckle, and got into her battle stance. Images of the burning houses around them reflected off the blade of her deadly scythe, Asrael.

"This is gonna be painful.." Hanpan commented, sprinting away from Jack towards Erica, Alician, and Darksong.

Jack concentrated his energy for his first assault. "TRUMP CARD!!" he shouted, leaping forward and nailing Harken with his strongest attack. Spires of light erupted from where his sword had struck the demoness, inflicting decent wounds upon her.

Harken cried out pain, holding her wound. Erica saw an oddly-colored liquid seeping between her fingers, looking more like liquid metal than actual blood. The anguished look on her face gave way to a frightful smile, as Harken actually laughed. "You've gotten stronger, baby." Harken commented, sounding quite pleased with Jack's attack. "Now it's my turn!" she continued, regaining her grasp on her weapon. "MAGNUM FANG!!" The demoness somersaulted towards Jack, performing multiple forward flips before slashing him across the chest. One slash became fifty slashes, leaving the elder Van Burace badly wounded.

"DAD!!" Erica cried out, aghast at seeing her father getting hurt. She shook at fright, as the possibilities of who betrayed the Fenril Knights were greatly narrowed down. She knew only two of the knights had mastered the Magnum Fang when Arctica was attacked; Captain Coldbird, and Elmina. Jack hadn't mastered it until the war was well underway, and he never said how he learned it.

"This isn't over!" Jack groaned, slowly rising to his feet, though losing a lot of blood. "MAGNUM FANG!!" he shouted. He leaped forward and slashed Harken across the chest, and the same multiple-strike effect was produced. He quickly jumped back.

Harken screamed in pain, receiving multiple slashes across her body. She groaned a bit, then started laughing again. "Oh, how I've missed the feel of your sword." she said to Jack with an obscene grin.

"Ugghhh!!" Erica uttered in disgust. "I can't believe she said that."

"Erica?" Alician asked tentatively of his big sister, "what is she talking about?"

"You don't want to know," Erica quickly replied, "trust me." When she said it, she wasn't sure which was worse; having Alician find out about the perverted side of humanity so soon, or having him watch his father being brutalized by their enemy. She recalled being in a similar position during the war.

"GUILTY BLADE!!" Harken shouted, jumping straight into the air and sending down a cutting wave of blue energy from Asrael. The wave created a big explosion, with Jack caught in the middle. He fell to his knees, more seriously wounded.

"Oh no!" Erica said with a mortified look. "How does she know these attacks?"

Darksong merely whined beside Erica, saddened by the sight of Jack and Harken fighting one another.

"This... isn't happening," Jack said weakly. He fought to raise his sword aloft. "HEAL BLADE!!" he shouted, throwing his sword overhead. It spun slowly overhead, and a pillar of healing energy descended onto Jack, mending a good amount of his wounds. He regained his footing, though he was still quite injured from Harken's assault.

"Much better!" Harken said with a smile of admiration. "I'd be disappointed if you died so quickly. HARKEN TEMPEST!!" She reared back with her scythe, and cut across in a horizontal fashion, creating an even stronger cutting wave which decently wounded Jack. The momentum of the attack made Harken spin up into the air, like a tornado. She nimbly landed on her feet, while Jack struggled to stay upright.

"This is insane!" Erica declared. "Harken will kill him!" She drew her sword and began to approach the battle.

"No!" Jack called out, holding his arm back to ward off his daughter. "You can't fight Harken, she's too powerful."

"But I can't just let you die!! Dad! How'd you beat her at the castle!?"

Jack made no reply, which really worried Erica. It was the one subject her father had remained tight-lipped about. Erica never thought he'd remain silent during such a chaotic moment, when their very lives were at risk. However, the blonde girl didn't receive even the slightest hint.

Jack shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the present matter, rather than the shame and guilt of the past. His sword hand shook as he readied himself for another attack. "PHASER ZAPP!!" he shouted, leaping forward and striking Harken. Seven beams of magical energy, each of a different element, shot from the attack, arced back towards Harken and nailed her for decent damage, though less than Jack's previous attacks.

Lady Harken sank to one knee, though she laughed once more. "This is so much fun!!" she said in a voice of metallic joy. "I wish it could last forever." She rose up to her feet, and tightened her grip on her vile blade. "LASER SILHOUETTE!!" she shouted. Her blade glowing with a fierce red aura, she rushed forth and slashed Jack hard across the chest. She then back flipped out of harm's way.

Jack fell to his hands and knees, critically wounded and still losing blood. His whole life began flashing before his very eyes, as he saw all of his triumphs and defeats, the people he met, and the places he went. He never imagined it would end under such circumstances. He'd worked so hard to try and restore the glory of Arctica, and it was being destroyed by a dark spectre from his tragic past. He slowly pushed himself off the ground, his whole body screaming in pain, threatening to give out at any moment. Jack was breathing heavily as he finally got back to his feet, his strength almost exhuasted. He brought to his sword close to his face, and shut his eyes for a moment. "For the glory.." he said weakly, "--of the Fenril Knights." Jack brought his sword back for one final assault. "COSMIC NOVA!!" he shouted, slashing across and unleashing a wave of solar energy, which streaked into Harken's armored form, inflicting decent wounds.

The demon sank to one knee again, audibly panting from exertion. She raised her head to look at Jack, and her smile returned. "You're so good, baby." she spoke to Jack. She rose up to her feet, a satisfied smile on her pale face. "MAGNUM FANG!!" She somersaulted towards Jack, and performed her multiple-strike attack, which culminated in an explosion of blue energy. Jack screamed in pain, then slowly fell onto his back in defeat.

"DAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!" Erica wailed, aghast at seeing her father falling to the ground. When he landed, it felt like an earthquake to Erica, as the man she'd admired so much had apparently been slain.

"DADDYYYYY!!!!" Alician shrieked, even more horrified than his sister. Losing his father at such a young age was a terrible wound to his innocent soul, one he wasn't yet strong enough to handle.

Darksong let out a long howl of pain, saddened by Jack's demise.

Lady Harken walked over to the fallen Jack, kneeling beside him. Still holding Asrael, she gently picked up Jack's body, and held it in a seemingly tender embrace. Her satisfied smile broadened into a loving grin, as she looked into Jack's dead face, holding up his head with her left hand. "Goodbye, my beloved." she said in a strangely soft voice. "Parting is with such sweet sorrow." She lowered her own head and kissed Jack full on the lips, closing her green eyes.

"You VILE BITCH!!" Erica shouted, enraged at seeing Harken kissing her father. She was so mad that she didn't care about using obscenities around her little brother. She charged forth towards the demoness, murder on her mind as he planned to decapitate the swordswoman. When Erica was but a few feet from Harken, the demoness' eyes immediately opened, looking at the blonde girl approaching her. Erica couldn't stop her momentum in time, and found her sword blocked by the devilish blade Asrael. The armored woman holding the dead Van Burace pushed forcefully with her scythe, all without releasing her liplock on Jack, and sent Erica sprawling to the ground.

"Erica!" Alician cried out, running to his sister's side.

Erica sat up, and was shocked when she saw how far Harken had thrown her back. She warily got to her feet, never taking her eyes off the demoness in the distance.

Twenty feet from where Erica stood, Lady Harken lowered Jack's body back onto the ground, and turned to blonde girl with a very perturbed look. "How dare you interrupt our tender moment." she began. "Where's your sense of romance?"

"Shut your hole, you pasty-faced demonic cunt!" Erica retorted angrily. "I won't have you defiling my father! DO YOU HEAR ME?!?!" she screamed in rage. The thought of another woman moving in on her father incensed Erica to no end.

Alician hid behind his sister, too afraid of the intense verbal exchange between Erica and Harken. He'd never seen his sibling so irate before, and it frightened him even more.

Harken returned to her feet, giving Erica a vexed glare. She stepped over Jack's body, and walked a few paces towards the younger Van Burace. "You need to learn some manners, young lady." she replied. "I DON'T appreciate being slandered." She continued to walk towards her. “ Didn’t I war you last time? Watch your language! It is unbecoming of you!”

"And I don't appreciate bitches like you!" Erica shot back, raising her sword aloft. "For the honor of the Van Burace family, and in the memory of the Fenril Knights of Arctica, I WILL destroy you!"

Lady Harken looked re-markedly unimpressed, her green eyes half-closed and her lips tightly drawn. "Don't kid yourself." she said in an icy voice.

Erica was beyond reason at that point. Harken had killed practically everyone closest to her: Mariel, Rudy, Jack, and for all she knew, Aubrey as well. She charged headlong towards her enemy, emitting a fierce battle cry. The demoness wielded Asrael in both hands, bracing for her attack. Erica lunged at Harken with her sword, but it was quickly blocked by the demoness' magic scythe. Erica unloaded with a flurry of attacks, but each one was blocked by the inhuman personnage. After parrying over twenty attacks, Lady Harken swung Asrael in a fierce arc, knocking Erica's sword out of her hand so hard, it spun her around and sent her to the ground again.

"ERICA!!" Alician cried out, running to his sister's side as he saw her spinning to the ground.

Erica cried to herself, holding her right shoulder. She was afraid Harken had dislocated it, merely by disarming her. Even in the demoness' weakened state, she easily overcame the Van Burace girl. "Forgive me." Erica said sadly, " Dad, Mom, Rudy, Aubrey. I wasn't strong enough to protect you." She struggled to raise herself off the ground with only one good arm. She turned around to face Harken, holding her right shoulder. Darksong quickly came beside Erica, whining sadly to his fallen charge. He nuzzled by her, trying to encourage the badly beleaguered Erica.

Hanpan climbed up onto Darksong's head, also hoping to raise Erica's battered spirits. Once he did, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked around him and soon saw Alician running towards Lady Harken. "Alician, no!" he called out. "Get back!"

"Alician!" Erica screamed when she saw her brother approaching the dark swordswoman. "What are you doing?! Get away from her!"

Alician stopped before the towering Harken, grabbing as high on her long leg as his short arms could've reached. "Why!!" he pleaded, tears in his green eyes, "why are you so mean? Why are you doing this? WHY?"

For a moment, it seemed Harken hadn't heard him, or even noticed him tugging at her leg. Then, her deadly gaze lowered to view the small child before her, begging for any semblance of mercy. She looked at him for many tense moments, no emotion on her pallid visage. "Because I can." she finally said, giving Alician the same coldness she gave Erica before they fought.

Alician was frozen in place by Harken's icy response. He remained there for several moments before falling on his backside, a look of horror on his young face. Naturally, such an act forced him to relinquish his grip on the figure of darkness.

Harken gave the child one last glance, then focused her attention on Erica again. Holding her scythe in both hands, the demoness slowly walked in the girl's direction, a blank, unfeeling expression upon her soft, pale features.

Erica backed away from the advancing warrior, fearing Harken was coming to finish her off. And yet, she heard light whimpering coming from that direction. As Erica was retreating, she looked about and saw Alician clinging onto Harken's ankle, desperately trying to stop the madwoman in any fashion. However, the demoness didn't seem to notice Alician, for he wasn't slowing her down in the least. Even if she did notice his seemingly futile attempt to deter her, she seemed to be ignoring him, the worst thing one could've done to a child.

A couple of minutes passed, and Erica was nearing the edge of the backyard. Suddenly, a group of monsters jumped over the fence, zeroing in on Erica and the others. Among the monsters were two huge floating yellow skulls with sharp teeth, glared at her with soulless eyes. There was also another green sphinx, smiling with demonic glee. A pair of large diamonds, hovering by their own power, also approached the young woman. Soon, they had the Van Burace girl and what remained of her family surrounded. They all hissed at the small group, desiring to feast on their blood. Erica was literally scared to death, as she saw monsters all around her. Even the usually fearless Darksong was terrified. He knew he couldn't have defeated them all by himself, especially in his current form.

Once Erica was trapped, Lady Harken stopped her advance. When Erica looked in front of her, she saw the demon knight within striking distance of her, no feeling or emotion in her jade eyes. Stepping back with her right foot, the demoness proceeded to raise Asrael overhead with both hands. Erica screamed in fright, fearing the blow of death was inevitable.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Alician shrieked, still clutching onto Harken's ankle.

Erica tried to shield herself with her hands, cowering before the demon warrior. She couldn't help but whimper as she awaited the final blow. She never imagined her young life would've come to such a swift and merciless end, at the hands of one she thought had been slain by her father years ago. Erica didn't want to die, but it seemed that the choice was no longer hers to make.

A minute passed, and the deathblow had not yet come. Erica fearfully moved her hands aside to look before her. She saw that Harken hadn't moved an inch since she'd brought her foul blade above her head of blood red hair. Suddenly, the dread scythe glowed with an eerie pale light, which chilled Erica to the bone. It then disappeared into thin air, without the slightest trace.

Lady Harken brought her arms down by her side, and took a more casual stance. She looked to the ground and noticed Alician still hanging onto her leg. Bending at the knees, she reached down with her left hand and grabbed the back of the child's coat. Alician instantly wailed in fright and let go of the demoness' boot. Harken straightened up, lifting the child off the ground and bringing him close to her face. Alician was trembling in mortal fear as he beheld Harken's lethal countenance, wildly waving his arms and legs, desperately trying to escape her grasp. The evil knight was unfazed by the boy's struggles, and slowly shook her head. She then leaned forward, and placed Alician on his feet beside Darksong. The child immediately latched onto Darksong, terrified by the vile swordswoman.

After releasing Alician, Harken's eyes darted to her left, where one of the yellow skull-like monsters levitated. "Wiseman." she said crisply, "neutralize them."

The monster turned to face Darksong and Alician, the former growling at the evil creature. "SLEEP!!" the skull shouted in a sepulchral voice. A white, fluffy cloud appeared over the wolf, the boy, and Hanpan as well. All three were rendered unconscious, forced into slumber by the demon.

"Darksong!" Erica called out, shocked that her pet was incapacitated with such ease.

Harken actually smiled at the sleeping trio. She looked quite pleased at the results of the monster's actions. She attention turned to the rest of the demons gathered around Erica, a commanding look replacing her smile. "Leave us!" she stated to her minions.

The monsters looked at the Quarter Knight, then quickly withdrew, leaving Harken and Erica alone.

Erica quivered before the towering metallic menace, terrified by her dark presence. With an injured shoulder and her sword laying far off in another part of the backyard, she knew that she couldn't overcome her father's nemesis. She knew that Harken was after her, but she didn't know the demoness' reasons for pursuing her. It was one of the few things about the war that was still unknown to her. None of her family had disclosed the whole truth about Harken, and since they were all gone, with the exception of her mother, she feared that she'd never live to discover it for herself.

A smirking Lady Harken looked down into Erica's frightened brown eyes. "Jack never told you what really happened to your mother," she said to the girl, "did he?"

Erica was taken off-guard by the demoness' question, forgetting about her fear for a moment. She wasn't going to press Harken for answers, and then her foe had touched on the very subject that had baffled her for very long. The whole situation was making her extremely confused, causing her a c-ptsd headache to spark a sharp pain, adding to the agony her body had endured earlier on in the night. "What's it to you?" she asked bitterly. "Haven't you killed enough of my family? Who are you?!"

"This give you a hint." the demoness asked, showing her left hand to Erica, the palm facing inward.

Erica took a good look at Harken's hand. She saw a familiar-looking diamond ring on the evil knight's finger. As if on cue, Harken turned her hand the other way, and Erica saw seven tiny sword images etched into the gold and silver band of the ring. "No!!" she said in denial, desperately trying to refute the fact that it was her mother's wedding ring on Harken's finger. "No!"

"That's right, precious." Lady Harken said with a dark smile. "I am your mother!" she announced in a voice of triumph.

"NO!!" Erica screamed at the top of her lungs. "IT'S NOT TRUE!! YOU'RE LYING!!"

The dark swordswoman crinkled her nose at Erica's disbelief. She tilted her head back, and groaned in pain. Erica's mouth hung open as she saw Harken shrinking before her very eyes. Her complexion became more humanlike, and her clothes changed dramatically. Once the transformation was complete, Erica beheld a human woman of athletic build, her head bowed and her eyes closed. She looked to be in her twenties, though Erica knew she was older than that. She wore a low cut green tunic, with a leather belt strapped across her waist. A light brown cloak was wrapped around her shoulders, blowing in the cold breeze. Long, fingerless gloves covered her arms up past the middle of her biceps, attached to the ends of her short sleeves. She wore plain tight pants, and her feet were adored with soft leather boots. The woman's long red hair flowed down past her waist, and a blue headband kept her bangs out of her eyes. Where once stood Lady Harken, had changed into Erica's birth mother, Elmina Nietee Van Burace. After a few moments, she opened her eyes, giving the blonde girl a dark, ominous gaze. The left side of her mouth stretched into an evil smirk.

Erica was in complete shock, horrified by the revelation. She was unable to believe that her own mother had betrayed the Fenril Knights, and assisted Alhazad in the destruction of Arctica. "Why??" she asked tearfully. "Why'd you help the demons? You were the best of the Fenril Knights. Dad said you stayed behind so he and I could escape. WHY??"

"What your father said was true." Elmina began. Though her voice sounded human, Erica couldn't miss the evil it conveyed. "However, Sir Alhazad knows talent when he sees it. Instead of killing me, he brought me back to his lab. There, he replaced my frail human nature with metallic strength."

"NO!!!" Erica cried out in disbelief, desperately trying to deny what she was seeing and hearing from her mother.

Elmina groaned in pain, and she began to change again. Her stature increased, and her old attire faded and was replaced by powerful magic armor. Just as quickly as she'd revealed herself to her daughter, Elmina had again assumed the shape of her demonic alter ego, Lady Harken. "I was reborn as a demon warrior." she said proudly, "And soon became one of the four Quarter Knights. Sir Alhazad liberated me from a menial human existence, and he can do the same for you, my daughter."

"NO! I don't want to-" Erica couldn't speak any more. She was utterly crushed by what she'd witnessed. The sight of her mother changing into a demon, the thought of the woman who'd brought her into the world betraying everything she'd ever believed in, was too much for her to bear. Even though she'd been spat upon most of her life by people, Erica didn't want to think about denying herself and joining her mother's treachery, since she'd seen what it had wrought. Tears openly streamed from her brown eyes, and she buried her face in her hands.

Harken looked at Erica, a twinge of disappointment in her green eyes. Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. She knew what Erica wanted to say, though the girl was almost too appalled to even speak. The demoness' eyes opened again, looking straight at the grieving Erica. "Do you really want to be a human?" she asked.

Erica's head came up sharply, surprised by Harken's question. She honestly didn't know how respond.

"They don't respect you, Erica." the towering warrior said, sounding like a concerned mother once again. "They harass and malign you without reason. You are a knight, like myself, and they treat you like trash!" she shouted, lashing her right arm to the side in anger, her gleaming white teeth all bared. "That's no way to treat a daughter of mine. Once you've been liberated, those cretins will learn to respect you." Harken's evil smile returned to her face. "I'll make sure of that." she said in a dark, forebodding voice.

"That's not possible!" Erica countered. "Alhazad's.... dead!"

Lady Harken's expression didn't even falter. "How little you know, Little Wolf." she replied. "Sir Alhazad lives! And he has the power to transform you, as he did me." She held out her right hand, stained with the blood of Jack, Rudy, and so many others. "Come with me, Erica! We shall terrorize this world together, as mother and daughter! Nothing shall ever separate us again!"

"NO!!!!" Erica screamed at the top of her lungs.

The evil Harken threw her head back in laughter, a dark laughter of victory.

Erica sat up in bed, finding herself in a cold sweat. The laughter of Lady Harken continued to echo in her mind. She curled herself into a ball, frightened by the nightmare she'd endured. "Lady Harken... my mother??" she asked herself. "Alhazad... alive!?" She cried to herself, praying it was only a dream, and never suspecting that Alhazad was much closer to her than she could've possibly imagined.

Chapter Text

Aubrey slept soundly on the living room sofa, his lavender overcoat acting as a blanket. Suddenly, he was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps coming from upstairs. He sat up on the sofa, and saw a human figure running downstairs. Even though it was pitch black inside the house, he instantly knew the person rushing towards the kitchen was Erica. He knew the touch of her aura. He rose from the sofa, throwing his coat upon him, and followed Erica's trail.

Once he entered the kitchen, he saw Erica leaning over the sink, splashing cold water on her face. He got a strong impression that the blonde girl just had a terrible nightmare. He walked closer to the girl by the sink. "Erica?" he said.

Erica gasped where she stood, and spun around to see the strange man standing behind her. "Stop doing that!" she shot back in between frantic breaths. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"My apologies." the incognito Demon Lord calmly replied. "What happened?"

Erica quickly latched onto him, wrapping her slender arms around his back. She relayed the horrific dream to Aubrey, down to the tiniest detail. The former Alhazad grit his teeth together, his red eyes darting from side to side. He knew such an elaborate, realistic nightmare couldn't have been created by her subconscious mind. He began to suspect that it might've come from an outside source.

"I never imagined my mother could've been a traitor." Erica said once she was finished telling about the dream. "I don't want to believe it, Aubrey. She's the most noble and honorable person I know. I can't believe she could've possibly been so... twisted and vile." The dejected young woman hugged Aubrey even tighter, looking for anything to disprove what she saw in her dream. "And if it isn't true, where the hell was she?! Why didn't she help Dad? I needed her, and she wasn't there! I was all alone!!"

"No longer." Aubrey said softly, rubbing Erica's back. "You shall not be alone any longer, Erica. I shall stay by your side... my love."

"Thanks.. I believe you. You’re so sweet.." She laid her head on Aubrey's shoulder for a few moments, and then looked up into his face again. "And poor Alician, he had to watch as Harken killed his father! That's horrible!" Her tears ran anew, steaming down her pale cheeks.

A repressed memory came back to her, which made her wince.

"Erica?" Aubrey said urgently.

The blonde girl shook her head before opening her eyes again. "I remember now. Something like that once happened to me, in Court Seim."

"Mmm?"

A thirteen year old Erica Van Burace stood by her father, his hand on her shoulder. Jack wore a grim expression on his face, and Rudy and Cecilia had similar countenances. They stood in front of the Maxwell estate in Court Seim, with the town's whole population gathered before them. Shortly before dawn, Alhazad had appeared and delivered an ultimatum to Jane: if she didn't surrender the second Rune Drive within the next three hours, the demons would've stormed the town and killed everyone that stood between them and the device. Jane quickly told her father, who immediately organized an evacuation of all the townspeople.

"Is everything ready," Nicholi Maxwell asked his younger daughter, Jane.

"All set, Pop." the incognito bounty hunter replied.

"Doctor Maxwell." Rudy spoke up, "Just where is the Rune Drive?"

The ARMs meister looked to the blue-haired Dream Chaser. "I've sealed it within the Sacred Shrine to the south. Don't worry, it has a special forcefield up to prevent monsters from intruding. We'll head for the shrine while you defend the town. Good luck, Dream Chasers."

"Hold it, Doc." Jack interjected. "Before you head out, take Erica with you."

"No!" Erica protested. "I want to fight with you!"

"It's too dangerous, Erica." Jack replied, looking down to his daughter. "The demons will kill you without thinking twice."

"But that demon knows where mom is!!"

"He don't know squat!" Jack suddenly shouted. "He's just toying with you, Erica! Forget about that monster, I'm gonna gut him once he shows his face with my blade!"

"But Dad-"

"NO!!" the elder Van Burace yelled, tiring of his daughter's refusal to listen. "NOW GET GOING!!"

"But.." Erica said in a broken voice.

"GO!!!" the swordsman all but screamed, turning his back on the pleading girl.

Jane came up behind Erica, and placed her hand on the child's shoulder. "Come along now, sister." she said, "I'm sure your Dad will be fine." She proceeded to give Jack a dirty look.

Erica hugged the older Jane, still hurt by her father's rejection.

Nicholi sighed gravely at what he'd witnessed. He gave Jack a disapproving look as well. "I guess it's settled then." he said. "Jane, please watch the rear."

"Leave it to me, Pop," Jane replied, trying to look confident.

Nicholi headed for the front, and led the people of Court Seim out of the village, with Jane and Erica bringing up the rear. Erica looked back to her father, who still hadn't turned around to face his daughter. “ Why.." she said sadly, then turned away towards the edge of town.

A while later, Erica was in a large room within the shrine, with Jane and McDullen watching over her. She was sitting on a barrel, a sullen look upon her face. All she wanted was to fight by her father's side, and possibly learn what had become of her mother. Jack had never told her what happened to her years ago in Arctica, so she didn't know if she was still alive, and it really hurt her. She missed her mother, and wanted to be with her again.

At that time, the Maxwell family servant, McDullen, walked over to Erica. "Are you alright, miss?" he politely asked.

Erica raised her face to look at McDullen. "Why does my dad have to be such a jerk? I didn't do anything. Why wouldn't he let me help him?"

"I really can't say." The butler bowed his head for a moment before looking at Erica again. "And you say the demons have taken your mother? That's awful."

"Yeah, that big white one knows where she is, but-" She began sniffling again, vaguely remembering what happened the night Arctica was attacked.

"Ya don't say." Jane remarked, coming to Erica's side. "That Alhazad kidnapped your mom? What a slimeball! I hope your father and the others do take him out!"

"So do I." said one of the townsmen. "Do you think it's the same monster who attacked Saint Centour?"

"WHAT?!" Jane exclaimed, spinning around to face the man. "What are you talking about?! Saint Centour was fine when I left it!"

"I heard it was invaded by monsters, miss. Don't take it personally."

"How can that be." McDullen asked. "Saint Centour had a... dimensional forcefield." he finished, his voice trailing off.

Jane looked at her servant, seriously disliking what he was suggesting. "Let's check out the entrance, McDullen."

"Certainly."

"Hon." Jane said to Erica, "You stay here. I'll be right back."

"Sure thing," Erica replied.

Jane and McDullen headed down the hallway. Suddenly, three large plant-like creatures appeared before them, each gazing at her with their single eye. "What in tarnation?!" Jane declared.

"Monsters!" McDullen added. "Be careful, my lady!"

Jane immediately produced her ARM. "Time to kill some really nasty weeds!" She shot the first monster, which instantly perished. However, the other two attacked Jane, slamming into her with their bodies. "Oh," Jane moaned, badly wounded from their assault, "they're tough for shrubbery."

"Jane!" McDullen spoke up. He pulled out a Potion Berry from his pouch, and administered it to the girl under his care, healing all of her wounds.

"Thanks, McDullen." She focused on the right side monster. "You're next, plant thing!" She shot the monster, reducing it to a pile of leaves. The final monster proceeded to nail Jane, injecting poison into her system.

"Oh my dear." the butler stated, and used an Antidote Herb on Jane, neutralizing the poison in her veins.

"Thanks again." Jane said to her manservant. She then blasted the last monster to bits with her next shot.

"This can't be happening," Jane said aloud. "How'd them monsters get in?"

"I don't know, my lady, but remember what that traveler said about Saint Centour."

"Dang, the town got trashed behind my back? That sucks! Now I'm really gonna let that over sized bedsheet have it! Come on, McDullen!"

Jane led the way towards the stairs leading up to the ground floor. However, a pair of nasty orcs appeared to block their path. "Oh great." she said sarcastically, "More company. Get ready, McDullen."

"Always, mistress," the butler humbly replied.

Jane aimed at the orc on the left and fired. The monster took the bullet full in the chest and fell over dead on the floor.

"HI-FREEZE!!" the second monster shouted, encasing the young woman in a large block of ice. The ice disintegrated, releasing a moderately wounded Jane.

"That's too cold," Jane remarked, falling to her hands and knees.

"My lady!" the manservant uttered in concern, and used another Potion Berry on Jane, healing her wounds.

"Good timing." Jane said over her shoulder. "Alright, ugly." she said to the last monster with a fierce look, "Try and put ME on ice, will ya? That's it, you're goin' down!" She pulled the trigger on her ARM, and another bullet nailed the remaining monster. It keeled over dead, just like its fellow creature.

"This is ridiculous." Jane stated to no one in particular. "How are they getting in?"
The blonde girl headed up to the ground floor. She was shocked when she saw the dimensional barrier was gone, though the guard still stood. She immediately headed over to him. "What happened to the forcefield!?" she demanded.

The guard spun around and saw Jane. "Oh.." he began, surprised to see Jane behind him, "Miss Maxwell. Apparently, the mechanisms have been disabled."

"What?! You mean someone shut 'em off?"

"Exactly, and then the monsters began appearing. Everyone's trapped inside with them."

Jane's face became thoughtful for a moment. "The barriers can only be turned on and off from the inside. How did-" A horrible thought came to Jane at that moment.

"How did what, miss?" McDullen asked.

"Oh no, you don't think he had spies in town, do ya?"

"I can't see how that's possible. We've known practically all of the people here for years. None of them could be spies."

"Crud!" Jane declared. "How's he doin' it?" Then, she remembered the people downstairs. "Oh no, Erica!"

The young woman turned around and dashed downstairs, with McDullen right behind her. As she was headed down the hallway, she heard a high-pitched scream from the room at the end of the corridor. "Erica!"

Jane charged into then room where she left Erica a few minutes ago. Everyone had their backs against the wall, mortal fear on all their faces. In the middle of the room, Erica was being held by six large insect-like creatures, which hovered near the ceiling. Floating beside them was the dreaded form of the Demon Lord, Alhazad.

"Erica!" McDullen stated, looking on in horror.

"JANE!" Erica cried out. " PLEASE!! HELP ME!!"

Alhazad nonchalantly turned to see Jane and McDullen before him. "Oh my." he began in his dark, metallic voice, "Fancy meeting you again, Miss Maxwell."

Jane brought out her ARM, and aimed it straight at the large demon. "Drop her, Alhazad!" she demanded.

"How it pains me to deny your humble request. I have special plans for this girl, and I can't allow anyone to interfere with them, now can I?"

"You fiend!" McDullen declared. "What have you done to her mother?"

"Oh, she told you about that, eh?" The hovering demon turned back to Erica. "Naughty naughty, Erica." he said, lightly reprimanding the frightened girl. "Loose lips make blood drip."

"Get away from me!" Erica cried out. "Give me back my mother!"

"The only blood that's gonna be drippin' is YOURS, Alhazad!" Jane shouted at her enemy. "If you don't let her go by the count of three, I'll blow your head clean off!"

Alhazad spun around to confront Jane, his robe flowing around his body. "I'd like to see you try, sister!" he said in a challenging voice, his red eyes glowing brightly.

"Alright, that does it! EAT LEAD!!" Jane fired seven shots at Alhazad, and kept pulling the trigger even though she'd already used up her ammo.

McDullen blinked in surprise. He saw Jane's bullets fire at Alhazad, but they seemed to disappear before they hit him. "What happened?" he asked.

A crunching noise came from Alhazad's direction. It was followed by a metallic sounding gulp. "Ah." the demon stated in satisfaction, "That was a tasty treat."

Jane's shoulders slumped forward, and her eyes shrunk into little black dots. "He really did eat them," she said, a sweatdrop running down the side of her head.

"I hope you now realize the futility of resisting us." Alhazad said in an ominous voice. "I wouldn't suggest prolonging this interlude, Miss Maxwell. It would result in some rather... nasty repercussions. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must see to the imminent acquisition of the last Rune Drive. Good day." Alhazad changed into a sphere of light, which promptly shrank into nothingness. His insectoid minions vanished as well, taking Erica with them.

"DAD!!" Erica's voice shouted, trailing off into the distance.

"Dang it, dang it, DANG IT ALL TO HELL!!" Jane shouted in a rising voice, throwing her ARM into the wall. She brought her hands over her head, and then thrusted them down by her side in frustration. "Jack's gonna have my head when he hears about this!"

Down in the deepest part of the shrine, Nicholi Maxwell was banging against the door leading outside the chamber. He'd been hearing inhuman noises for the past several minutes, and was trying to discover the source of the commotion. "Let me out!" he shouted to the guard on the other side. "What's going on out there? It sounds like monsters have invaded the shrine!"

A strange, mystical sound came from behind the door, causing Nichoil to halt his banging upon it.

"Lord Alhazad." the man outside the door spoke, "The Rune Drive is within this chamber, as is Doctor Maxwell."

"Excellent!" came a reply of one Nicholi knew wasn't human, "You have done well. Open the door."

"Yes, my lord."

The ARMs meister backed away, unable to believe that one of his associates had betrayed him. The door outside opened, and a large robed creature passed through, filling the narrow passageway from side to side. A huge golden mask, encrusted with multiple jewels, concealed his face from all. Nicholi backed away into the main part of the room as the creature made its way through the passage. Doctor Maxwell backed all the way to the chest holding the second Rune Drive as the strange creature entered the room. "Y... you," he asked in shock. "Wh... what are you doing here? You're supposed to be assaulting the town."

"That is precisely what I wanted you to think, my good man." the monster urbanely replied in a deep, metallic voice. "I hold your town's entire populace in the palm of my hand, and I can crush it anytime I so choose." The creature chuckled to itself, sounding very pleased at the recent turn of events.

It was then that Nichoil noticed a swarm of strange insect-like creatures hovering above their master. They were holding a frightened girl with dirty blonde hair. "Oh my Guardians, Erica!" he exclaimed. "You're a fool, Alhazad! Jack will be furious when he learns you've kidnapped his daughter!"

"Oh, he should be furious alright." the demon replied, "With himself. It was his short-sightedness that allowed Erica to come into my possession. That foolish man hasn't learned a blessed thing. Pitiful."

The insects descended and placed Erica onto the floor. Once she was on her feet again, she instinctively reached for her short sword.

"Now now, Erica." Alhazad spoke, mildly correcting the Van Burace girl, "That's not nice."

"Shut up! Asshole!" Erica shot back.

“Language, Erica.” He corrected her. “ Do you want people to take you seriously? People will think you’re a bumbling unintelligent moron much like your father, if you continue to talk like that. Was it him taught you how to speak that way?”

"Where's my mother? Tell me!"

Alhazad leaned his masked face forward. "Or else what?" he asked sternly.

Erica backed up, frightened by the demon's question.

"Do you honestly believe you have even the most remote chance of stopping me, girl?" Alhazad asked in a menacing voice. "I strongly suggest you rethink your course of action. Otherwise, you won't live to ever see your mother again, and I'm sure she'll be so despondent when she hears of your... unfortunate demise."

Erica was cringing at that point. She wasn't nearly brave enough to face such a powerful foe, especially the one who destroyed her old home years ago.

Alhazad floated over near Erica, hovering before the diminutive girl. "Such a pretty creature you are, Erica." he began. "I can see your mother's features in you. In time, they shall come to full bloom." He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Your mother was also an innocent when I first met her. Since then, she has become so much more."

Nicholi stood in silent shock, merely listening to the Demon Lord in his midst.

"What are you talking about.." Erica asked. "More than what?" she lowered her sword, side eying the demon, tilting her head.

"You shall discover that in due time. If you continue on this journey, you may very well find your mother again."

"R... really?" Erica asked, a bit encouraged by the demon's words.

"Indeed, but will it be the happy reunion that you have wished for all these years. Well, only time will tell, won't it?"

Before anything more could be said or done, the door leading into the room opened up, causing everyone inside to look towards the passageway. The sounds of metal heels clicking against the floor came from the shadows. A couple of seconds later, a very tall woman entered the room, clad in red and silver armor.

"AHHH!!" Erica screamed. "It's that crazy lady from the boat!"

The demoness turned her head in Erica's direction. "Nice to know you remember me, Erica." she said with a smirk.

Erica was too frightened to respond.

The giantess made her way into the middle of the room, and turned her attention to the robed creature. "Well, it seems you were one step ahead of me, Alhazad."

"Naturally!" the demon replied with a bow of his head. "I understand you had some... choice words for Belselk in regards to his... intentions for Erica."

"She slapped him, too." Erica added fearfully.

Alhazad's red eyes went wide in surprise. "You actually slapped him?" he asked, trying to keep himself from laughing. "Oh, that must've been quite a sight, except, perhaps, for Belselk. But enough about that. What brings you here today?"

The warrior glanced at the quivering Erica. "Just making sure you weren't planning anything... unhealthy for the girl." she said casually, turning her head back in Alhazad's direction. "I'd have been very cross if she was damaged."

"Really now, Harken," Alhazad replied, sounding a tad insulted. "Only a fool repeats the mistakes of others. The wise demon learns from other people's mistakes, and benefits from the discovery."

Harken gave her associate a dark smile. "Now that's the Doctor Alhazad I know so well."

"One does one's best."

The dark valkyrie's eyes noticed Nicholi, standing in front of a large chest in the back of the room. "Oh dear." the demoness said with a self-reprimanding smirk, "How rude of me to just barge in without even introducing myself. Lady Harken of the Quarter Knights." she said with a slight bow, "at your service."

"You don't say.." Doctor Maxwell warily replied.

Harken turned back to Alhazad. "Have you secured the Rune Drive yet?" she inquired with a firm look.

"I have this entire town secured." Alhazad replied darkly. "I can take it all whenever I desire."

Both Erica and Nicholi had chills simultaneously run up their spines.

"Was there something else?" Alhazad asked.

Harken looked back to Erica. "Yes." she replied. "That girl shouldn't be involved. She's far too young to engage in real battle."

"Hey, I can take care of myself!" Erica said defensively, trying to keep from freaking out.

"Really?" the swordswoman asked threateningly. "Don't make me take you up on that, girl. If you continue fighting, you will die. This is a battleground, Erica, not a playground. There's a very big difference."

"Pfft, I haven’t been to a play ground since I was 5. Before that jerk over there destroyed it.” She glared at Alhazad. Who chose not to respond. Amused by Erica’s fire. “ “ Besides, I won't die. My dad will protect me. We'll find my mother, and we'll kick your asses!"

“LANGUAGE YOUNG LADY!” she snapped at the girl- there was a faint echo of a memory.. But she couldn’t point where.. Erica jumped back. Harken was more incensed than impressed by Erica's bravado. She stormed over to the Van Burace girl, causing her to back up against the wall. "Your father is a fool to allow you to participate in this battle!" she snapped at the girl. "It's no place for children! Doesn't he care about your well-being?"

"Of course he does," Erica said timidly. "Dad loves me."

"And yet he allows you to risk your young life time and again on the battlefield? Oh, that man really irks me." Her hands slowly balled into fists, and her usually pallid face was becoming scarlet red.

"You could always slap him." Alhazad suggested.

Harken turned her head in Alhazad's direction. "You know, I am sorely tempted to do just that. Bringing his only child into battle. Disgraceful. He's asking for trouble, and he will get it, I assure you."

Alhazad chuckled to himself.

The towering demoness blinked her green eyes, which began to look very sad. "Can't we at least spare her?" she asked her fellow knight. "Must we kill all the humans?"

"Harken.." Alhazad said in a chiding voice, "You know that one of our primary objectives is to purge this world of humans. Only when they and the Guardians have been eliminated can we truly claim this world as our own. The strong survive and the weak perish. It is simply the natural order of life." Nicholi gasped in horror, as he realized what the demons had planned for humanity. Erica gasped as well. “ Don’t act so alarmed; when your kind pushed the people of Baskar to the desert; out of their home lands which they had claimed to for eons.. We’re simply doing to you what you did to them, cause and affect, you reap what you sow.” The demon chuckled at the troubled humans response.

"I know that." Harken said quietly, sounding more like concerned parent than a demon knight. "Still, I don't wholly feel right about it. Once our plans have come to fruition, all of humanity will die." She sadly glanced at Erica. "Including the children."

Erica was confused by Harken's change of demeanor.

"I won't do battle with a child." Harken said to Alhazad, "will you? Would you destroy something so beautiful?"

Suddenly, Harken's ears picked up the faint sound of an explosion somewhere in the shrine. "What was that?" she asked.

Erica and Nicholi were both confused, wondering what the demoness was talking about. They hadn't detected anything with their human ears.

"Seems like they defeated Agaless." Alhazad mused, hearing the explosion as well. "They've proven to be more potent than I originally expected. Let's have a little look, shall we?"

The air in front of Alhazad shimmered and rippled, until a spectral image appeared before him. It was an image of the Dream Chasers, standing in another part of the shrine.

Erica gasped, recognizing the image of her father. Without warning, a long, slender hand clamped itself onto her mouth. Erica made fearful, muffled sounds, and looked beside her to see Lady Harken kneeling by her, the demoness' metal hand over her mouth. She tried biting Harken's hand, but to no avail. The demon warrior didn't even flinch.

"Hey.." the image of Hanpan said to the others, "didn't we encounter this somewhere else on our journey?"

"Yeah." Jack's image coldly replied, remembering the town only too well. "Saint Centour."

"Right, and do you remember how I got through the barrier?"

"Of course I do, Hanpan." Jack responded, somewhat insulted by Hanpan's question. "You huddled up close to my body."

"But that means the monsters-" Hanpan began.

"-are getting in with humans.." Cecilia finished, disliking where the conversation was headed.

"They're using the same method I did." the Wind Mouse declared.

"Getting through without being noticed." Rudy said pensively.

"Just now, we saw a dog change into a monster. You don't think-"

"-people are turning into monsters as well." Jack asked, horrified by the thought.

Alhazad hummed to himself, impressed at their perceptive and deductive abilities.

"How can a person possibly become a monster like that?" Hanpan asked the others, unaware that he or the rest of the group were being watched.

"Smart kids!!" Alhazad said aloud, "I'll tell you exactly how we did it." He saw all the Dream Chasers looking in his direction, so he knew that they heard him. "We used special seeds, which were developed by magic. They are not identified as monsters, thus they can gain entry through the barrier. Once ingested by a human, it grows within the host's body until it dominates it and bends it to our will."

"We turned this whole town into a giant laboratory," the booming voice of Alhazad said within the room, echoing all around the Dream Chasers. "It couldn't possibly be more perfect. Though the materials which comprise our bodies are dissimilar, our physical structures are the same. If you are living flesh, then we are living metal. We can never be defeated. Hah, but enough talk. I need to ask the good doctor for that Rune Drive now. Say goodbye, Erica."

"DAD!!!!!" Erica's voice cried out. "HELP ME!!" Her voice slowly trailed off.

"ERICAAAAA!!!" Jack screamed at the top of his lungs, his face a scarlet shade of red. "That does it! I'm gonna rip his head off!" He made his way out of the room.

"Jack, wait up!" Hanpan called out, rushing to catch up to his partner.

"There," Alhazad said, "they should be arriving any minute now. And when they do, I shall deal with them personally."

"Really?" Harken asked in surprise. "Are you sure about this?"

"Positive. I started this mission, and I shall bring it to a conclusion."

Harken smiled in dark anticipation. "This is could even better. Come over here, Mister Maxwell. You too, Erica."

"Wh... what are you going to do to me?" the researcher asked timidly, knowing the demons could've ended his life at any moment. He slowly made his way over towards the demons, unsure of what they had planned. Once he was in the middle of the room, Harken stopped him and then walked behind him, clasping her right hand onto his shoulder. Nicholi noticed it was very tight grip, though he was sure Harken could've easily made it much tighter, possibly crushing his shoulder in the process.

"Do as the lady says, Erica." Alhazad said to the girl in a teasing voice.

Erica scampered away from Alhazad, and ran towards the enormous Harken, soley to escape the robed monster. Once she was close enough, Erica felt Harken's free hand grab the top of her head. "Ow!" she cried, wincing from the demoness' viselike grip.

"Eyes to the front, Erica." Harken said to the child, who faced the doorway as ordered. "You two shall have the honor of witnessing what happens to those who oppose us."

The door leading into the room opened.

"Showtime!!" Alhazad announced, moving forward to block the end of the passage into the room.

The Dream Chasers charged into the room. At the end of a narrow passageway awaited their enemy, the diabolical Demon Lord, Alhazad. "You people work much too hard, you know that?" he said in a strangely pleasant voice. "You should've just ignored me and gone about your business."

"And let you trash this town like you did Saint Centour!?" Jack interrupted. "I don't think so! Let Erica go, you monster, or I'll lop your head off right now!"

"You honestly believe you have the power to do it?" the demon asked with a burning red gaze.

Jack's resolve began to falter, as his enemy had struck at his weakest point. His rage gave way to futility, as a look of despair appeared on his face.

"Dad!" Erica's voice called out from behind Alhazad. "Save me!"

Hearing his daughter's voice snapped Jack out of his depression. He promised himself that he wouldn't fail Erica, as he did Elmina. Deep down, he knew that it was his fault Erica was kidnapped, and knew it was up to him to save her. Shaking off his earlier hopelessness, he drew it sword and pointed it straight at Alhazad. "This is your last chance, Alhazad! Move it or lose it!"

Alhazad chortled merrily at Jack's threat. "Just try and move me, little man. Our glorious Mother has called for your death, and I shall personally carry out her sentence. Your pitiful existence ends HERE, humans!"

Cecilia and Rudy took that as their cue, and drew their respective weapons, the Rainbow Wand and the Night Fencer.

Jack charged up his own blade, the Extinction. "METEOR DIVE!!" he shouted, leaping high into the air, and coming straight down, slashing across Alhazad's masked visage. A fiery explosion ensued from the attack. The demon groaned in obvious pain, as the attack moderately wounded him. Jack quickly jumped out of harm's way.

Alhazad looked straight at the swordsman. "PEEK-A-BOO!!" he shouted, shooting two red beams of burning light out of his eyes. Jack was nailed hard by the attack, landing on his back.

"That was painful," Jack admitted, feeling two burning wounds beneath his sternum. He slowly got to his feet, quite injured from the assault.

"Are you alright, Jack?" Cecilia asked.

"I've had worse." the man said nonchalantly.

Cecilia noted he wasn't too badly hurt at the moment, so she focused on the cruel demon before her. "ARMOR DOWN!!" she shouted, and a ring of blue magical spheres rose up around Alhazad. Cecilia was it hoping the spell would've cut his defensive strength in half. She heard an annoyed growl from Alhazad, so she believed it worked.

Rudy forsook his sword and immediately brought his Rocket Launcher. He pulled the trigger, and a barrage of small missiles struck Alhazad flush in the face, inflicting moderates wounds on the demon, though his mask was surprisingly undamaged.

Alhazad immediately turned in Rudy's direction. "PEEK-A-BOO!!" he shouted, nailing him with his beam attack as well.

"Hey!" Jack cried out. "No fair!"

"Life's not fair!" Alhazad retorted, turning in Jack's direction. "Deal with it!"

"Nice guy.." Hanpan commented with Jack's pocket.

"Jerk!" Jack added. "SLASH RAVE!!" He leaped forth towards Alhazad, slashing him five times with his sword, and jumping back. Alhazad reeled back a bit from the assault, but still held his ground. "Man," Jack said to himself, "he won't budge."

"SLOW DOWN!!" Cecilia shouted, and a ring of pink spheres rose up around Alhazad. Once it finished, though, she heard an amused chuckle from the demon. "Okay." she surmised, "That didn't work."

Rudy was still hurting from Alhazad's earlier attack. In spite of it, he aimed his Rocket Launcher at his target and fired. The Demon Lord was bombarded once more, and wounded further. What really surprised Rudy was that he noticed every time Alhazad was hit, his insectlike minions reeled back as well. It was like they were an extension of him.

Jack concentrated for his next attack. "DIVIDE SHOT!!" He leaped towards Alhazad with his sword. As he struck him, beams of pink light shot up around the demon, spinning in the circle and spreading outward. Jack quickly leaped away from the monster.

Alhazad laughed out loud in obvious amusement, the attack completely ineffective against him. "Was that supposed to hurt?" he asked. "Is it any wonder why you were at the bottom of the pecking order." He laughed once more.

Jack shook his fists in anger, realizing his enemy was talking about the Fenril Knights. "Take that back, freakshow!"

"Make me." Alhazad said menacingly. He saw a hint of movement out of the corner of his eye, and turned in Cecilia's direction. "ESPARANZA!!" he shouted. Two of his minions hovered over Cecilia and bombarded her with strange orange energy. The Adlehyde Princess fell to her knees, badly wounded from the assault.

"Cecilia!" Rudy called out. He soon saw that he was correct, the floating insectoid minions were an extension of Alhazad. The blue-haired outcast gave the demon an incensed look. "Oh, you're gonna pay for that, Demon Lord!" He whipped out his Rocket Launcher again. "LOCK ON!!" Rudy shouted, zeroing in on his target. He fired another barrage of missiles into Alhazad, moderately injuring the ancient demon.

"Man." Jack said, "This ain't good." He was realizing exactly what his comrades had to face before their brutal death at Alhazad's hands. Pushing his doubts aside, he focused on his next assault. "METEOR DIVE!!" he shouted. Leaping high into the air, he performed a downwards slash as he landed, creating a fiery explosion before he leaped back. Alhazad was decently wounded from the assault.

"MYSTIC!!" Cecilia shouted, utilizing the force she'd gathered in the fight. "Release the power of the Potion Berry!" The energy within the berry was unleashed and distributed to the whole party, mending their wounds.

"Thanks a bunch, Princess." Jack said to the blonde girl.

"Ditto." Rudy added.

Alhazad looked unimpressed, and turned to face Rudy. "ELECTRIGGER!!" he shouted, and his right claw shot forth from his body, nailing Rudy with electrical energy. Rudy screamed as he was critically wounded from the attack, falling to his knees. Even after Alhazad's claw retracted, he noted that Rudy's body still had sparks of electricity shooting through it. "My.." the robed figure remarked, "You don't like being shocked, do you?"

Rudy was too injured to respond, let alone attack.

Demented, feminine laughter came from behind Alhazad, sounding more metallic than human.

"RUDY!!" Erica screamed from the same place.

"Oh no!" Jack uttered, knowing the metallic voice in the background, "not her! Crud! We gotta end this now! SLASH RAVE!!" He jumped towards Alhazad, slashing him five times for moderate wounds, and then retreated.

"ELECTRIGGER!!" Alhazad immediately shouted, nailing Jack with an electrified claw for incredible damage.

The same laughter echoed from behind Alhazad.

"Looks like he's got the same idea, Jack." Hanpan said urgently. "He's turning it up a notch."

"MYSTIC!!" Cecilia shouted quickly. "Release the power of the Potion Berry!" Instantly, the healing energy of the berry washed over the entire group.

Rudy finally got to his feet, though still feeling the effects of Alhazad's earlier assault. He knew he'd used his last shot for the Rocket Launcher, so he whipped out his traditional Hand Cannon, and fired it straight into Alhazad. The demon was somewhat hurt, though not as much as when he was hit by the Rocket Launcher.

"Hmm.." Alhazad mused, looking over the group, "Not bad, not bad at all. We can use you. We will forget about the business of the Rune Drive, for now. Come to our Photosphere, Dream Chasers! We'll give you a welcome you'll never forget!" He let out a roaring laugh, changed into a sphere of light and vanished.

Once Alhazad was gone, the Dream Chasers were able to look into the main part of the room. They all saw Erica and Nichoil side by side. Standing behind them, lightly clapping her hands, was the evil swordswoman, Lady Harken.

"YOU!!" Jack exclaimed, rushing in to confront his enemy.

"Bravo, darling!" Harken said with an impressed smirk. "We just might make a swordsman of you yet. Ta ta!" She leaped into the air and disappeared without a trace.

"Come back here you!" Jack shouted into the air, waving his sword. "If you've harmed a hair on her hair, I'll-"

Cecilia knelt down by Erica, and placed her gentle hands on the girl's shoulders. "Erica, are you okay?"

"Yeah.." the girl said in a frightened voice. "Those demons.. They didn’t hurt me... Alhazad took me and brought me here. He said he had plans for me.. He's hiding mom somewhere."

"Will you knock it off!" Jack snapped, spinning around to face his daughter. "He's lying!"

"No, he's not! He said if we kept fighting, we'd see her again."

"Baloney! He's just making that up! What, you trust him more than you do your own father? What's wrong with you, kid?!"

"Jack, stop that!" Cecilia said sharply, rising to her feet to face him. "Yelling at Erica won't solve anything."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Nicholi Maxwell added. "Please, Mister Van Burace, whatever troubles you, don't take it out on your only child."

Jack let out a bitter, frustrated sigh. "I guess you're right." He knelt down to his daughter. "Sorry, Erica, I didn't mean to get mad at you." He hugged his daughter warmly.

"It's okay, Dad.." Erica said back. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"If the Alhazad is lying, where is Mom? Do you know?"

Jack bowed his head, and closed his brown eyes, weeping.

"Dad?"

"He never did tell me," Erica said, finishing her story to Aubrey. "I never saw my mother again, not until we found her at the Milama pub..." She sighed to herself. "Where was she all those years? Why didn't she try to find us?"

Aubrey knew the reason why Erica's mother was absent, but remained silent.

The sound of footsteps came from behind the kitchen door. It opened, and Rudy walked through. "Oh.." he said with a surprised look, "I didn't think anyone was still awake."

"Evening, Mister Roughknight," Aubrey said calmly.

"Aubrey, right?"

"Yes."

"Where were you and Erica earlier in the afternoon?"

Aubrey heard Erica gasp, though he remained cool. "We were strolling through the western side of town," he began. "Erica was considering diversifying her wardrobe, but we found nothing that suited her tastes. Why do you ask?"

Rudy raised his eyebrows, not expecting such intelligent verbiage from him, or frankly anyone. The mannerisms seemed fimilar- but he dismissed it."I don't know." he finally said, shrugging his shoulders. "That Thornwood guy was running through town earlier in the evening, claiming his sister was killed by a demon." He shook his head.

"Joe.." Erica said under her breath.

"And with the castle collapsing, with no pertinent clues about how it happened, the whole city's in an uproar. Fear of the demons is running rampant again, and we're not having much luck about calming it." He looked to both Erica and Aubrey. "Tomorrow morning, Mayor Walker is making a public announcement in the town square. You'll want to be there." He let out an absent yawn. "I need to get to bed, as should the two of you. Tomorrow will be a long day. Good night." He turned around, and made his way out of the kitchen. His footsteps were heard from the kitchen as he headed upstairs.

Erica continued to stare at the stairs, a cold look on her face. "The hell with the town meeting." she said with a frown. "He knows what Mom and Dad are hiding in the basement. Do they trust him more than they do their own daughter? I’m 23 years old now- I’m not a child anymore!"

"Erica-" Aubrey began tentatively.

“ No!!" Erica growled. "They kicked me off the team before they went to the Demon's Castle. Why? What did I ever do? Why are they keeping me in the dark?" She lightly shook her head, and clenched her fists. "That does it. We're gonna find out what's in that forbidden chamber tomorrow."

"What are you hoping to find?" Aubrey asked.

Erica looked up into his face. "Answers," she said firmly. "I want answers, and if they won't give them to me, I'll find them myself. I'm tired of being treated like an inferior and a child, Aubrey. Is my mother a traitor or not? I want to know."

"Tread with caution, Erica.." the young man warned. "Once you break the seal and reveal what lies within, there shall be no going back. Nothing will ever be the same."

Erica sighed mournfully. "Maybe you're right. Maybe things won't be the same, but I hate the way my life is going, and if I find out I can't even trust my own parents-" She began to cry, burying her face in Aubrey's chest.

"Calm yourself, Erica. No harm shall befall you. I shall assist you in any endeavor you seek to undergo."

"Thanks, Aub.." Erica said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

Aubrey lightly caressed her blonde hair, a troubled look on his face. "Things are getting a bit out of hand…" he thought to himself. "If Elmina ever returns, she will recognize me in an instant. My old student knew me much better than Jack." He sniffed to himself. "I can't believe he's still hiding behind that mask. So much for him finding courage. However, I must be cautious so he never perceives a hint about my true self. Rudy shall be a bit more difficult, but manageable. Unfortunately, there'll be no fooling Elmina. Hopefully, I can keep up this ruse until she returns. After that, things will get rather complicated. I may have to make an... early departure. I know I promised to stay by your side, Erica, but what shall happen if you find out I'm the one who took your mother away. Will you still feel this affection for me, or will you take up your sword strike me down, as your father would." He continued to hold her, greatly concerned about their future together.

Chapter Text

The first rays of sunlight slowly crept up over the eastern sea, as the night was slowly being ushered away, and a new day was about to begin. The Sweet Candy was nearing the eastern Arctican beach, the only feasible dock in light of the collapse of the land bridge during the Second Demon War.

Within the guest room of the ship, Elmina Van Burace slowly roused from her sleep. It had been a somewhat fitful sleep for the swordswoman, although she didn't have any nightmares. She opened her emerald green eyes, to take in her surroundings. She was inside a moderately sized chamber, perfect for two people. The bed she slept upon was expertly made, with a soft, firm mattress, a fluffy pillow with a pink pillowcase, and a rich lavender blanket, scented with roses. Elmina almost didn't want to get up. It was a lot better than the bed she had at home. She laughed to herself at the thought of pressing Jack for a new bed. Elmina knew her husband could've slept on practically anything. He'd slept on dirt ground numerous times after the fall of Arctica, so sleeping arrangements weren't that much of a concern to him. The red-haired beauty of Arctica shook her head, wondering what exactly to do about a new bed, and about Jack.

On the other side of the room was a sleeping Cecilia, lightly humming to herself. She had a similar bed; only her sheets were more of a rose color, with a regal purple blanket. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, an unusual circumstance in light of recent news. Still, Cecilia needed to be at her best during the day, for whatever it held, so a good night's sleep was necessary.

Elmina let out a light yawn, slowly sitting up in bed. It had only been a couple of days since she'd taken a sea vessel to Port Timney, and now she was returning to her hometown. She regretted the circumstances under which she'd left her post in the port town, but she really didn't see an alternative. Along with the fact that her old tormentor, Alhazad, was alive and well, she knew she couldn't have stayed in Port Timney for any reason. Not only that- but word had it that Alhazad had stolen Erica’s heart. Which.. Didn’t make sense to Elmina. How could he have? Erica would have recognized him as the demon that took nearly everything from her.. The only solution was to rush home, find her husband, and slay the mad mad.. She stretched out her slender arms, and yawned once more.

The female knight turned her head at her roommate, who was still sleeping soundly. "Morning, Cecilia." she said to the other side of the room.

A soft groan came from Cecilia's bed. "Please, Sister Mary.," she began in a drowsy voice, "Can't I at least sleep late this one day?"

Elmina laughed to herself. "Come on, sleepyhead. This isn't the abbey anymore."

Cecilia groaned to herself, and rubbed her weary eyes. After a few moments, she sat up in bed, supporting herself with her hands. She turned her still somewhat sleepy face to Elmina. "You know, I've always hated mornings."

"Even though you had to get up early every day at the abbey for ten years? I'd have thought you'd gotten used to it."

"That didn't mean I liked it." Cecilia replied sourly.

Elmina gave her companion a wry smile. "I would never have guessed. Unfortunately, it can't be helped, especially today. We need you... Innocent One." she finished in a teasing voice.

The Sword Princess was a rewarded with a fluffy pillow thrown at her head.

Around half an hour later, the Sweet Candy had docked near the Arctican beach. The sun was majestically rising above the horizon, lighting the skies above the ocean in bright orange and yellow hues. Morning had finally arrived, and the new day had truly begun. The night crew was finally being relieved after a long night voyage across the ocean, and the morning crew was beginning their shift.

Coming up from below deck was the sea vessel’s infamous commander, Captain Bartholomew. He was bleary eyed, as he was most mornings after imbibing many fermented drinks the previous night. Absently rubbing his eyes, he made his way across the deck towards the helmsman. "Have we arrived at Arctica?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," the man at the wheel replied. "We just arrived a few moments ago."

"Good man. Well, I should notify our passengers that we’ve arrived at our destination."

"That won’t be necessary," a voice spoke from behind the captain.

Bartholomew turned around and saw Elmina and Cecilia coming on deck, fully clothed and ready to face the day. "Oh my." the captain remarked, "That was quick."

"Thank you." Elmina replied sweetly, "we try."

Cecilia grumbled something unintelligible under her breath.

"Well.." Bartholomew spoke thoughtfully, "you seem in much better spirits than when we departed."

"Much better," Elmina said with a smile. "Sorry I wasn’t so friendly at first, but after that… incident with Mayor Dolby.." she continued, her face darkening as she recalled that moment, "I was leery about being around most anyone."

Bartholomew mowed his head for a moment. "I do hope you overcome that, Mrs. Van Burace, and… "

"And," the redhead asked with a curious look.

"I’m... sorry I couldn’t make it to your wedding."

"Yeah," a sailor called out, "he celebrated too much the night before and passed out."

Everyone on deck broke out into laughter, even Cecilia and Elmina. Bartholomew wore an embarrassed smile, and rubbed the back of his head. His eyes darted from side to side for many moments.

"Anyway.." Elmina interrupted, trying to stop laughing, "We thank you again for getting us to Arctica, Captain. We couldn’t have made it without you."

"Glad to be of help, ladies." the diminutive sea captain replied, still trying to recover from the earlier humiliation. "All we need to do now is to take a rowboat to the shore."

"I can hardly wait."

"That makes two of us," Cecilia added. "Thanks again, Captain."

"Your most welcome," Bartholomew replied.

Suddenly, the air above the port side of the ship shimmered and rippled, and immense energy resonated from the area. All the deckhands were scared of the phenomenon occurring over the cold seas, even Bartholomew cringed from the sight. Elmina and Cecilia had wide-eyed looks, but they stood their ground. They knew what was about to occur. A moment later, a large figure materialized by the rail of the ship, hovering over the cold waters. It looked like a cross between a human being and a lion. It wore black clothes, and held a huge sword in its paws. The figure focused its golden eyes on the two women on deck. Neither Elmina nor Cecilia had to ask to know the creature hovering by the port side of the ship was none other than Justine, Guardian Lord of Courage.

"Innocent One," the Guardian began in a mighty, booming voice, "why have you come here?"

None of the men on deck dared to interrupt, they were terrified of the powerful entity in their presence.

Cecilia relaxed her breathing. She’d been waiting to encounter Justine for many days, and wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. "I have come to escort Elmina back to Arctica," she began imperiously. "Furthermore, I intend to find that fiend you have released from the Underworld."

"No!" Justine protested. "You must not interfere! This is not your concern, Innocent One. Return to Adlehyde at once!"

"Not my concern," Cecilia asked in a dangerous voice. "I have known the Van Buraces for many years, and you expect me to stand idly by while their worst enemy roams free on Filgaia? You don’t honestly expect him to meekly submit to your whims, do you?"

"The demon must repent for his sins," Justine countered, unfazed by the mage’s words. "I have revived him so that he makes amends with those he once tormented in the past. Your presence shall only undermine the plan. Return to your abode, Innocent One. You are not necessary."

"What was that?!" Cecilia snapped, infuriated by the words of the Guardian. "I am not necessary? You are starting to overstep your bounds, Justine. It was your fellow Guardians who alerted me to what you’ve wrought. I am here on their behalf. If that madman steps out of line, the Guardians have authorized me to destroy him." She exhaled angrily between clenched teeth. "You should not have brought him back, Justine. His presence endangers thousands of lives, possibly all of Filgaia. Are you willing to risk all of humanity merely to fulfill your misguided plan?"

"He shall cause no harm. I have him completely under control. I hold his existence in the palm of my hands, and if he does commit any semblance of evil, I shall banish him back to the Well of Souls. He has no choice but to obey me."

Cecilia stood in open-mouthed shock. She couldn’t believe that one of the Guardians, and especially one of the Guardian Lords, could’ve possibly been foolhardy or suffered from delusions of grandeur. Despite their great power, the Guardians never truly imposed themselves upon the people of Filgaia, never forced humanity to acknowledge and worship them. Justine’s recent actions and attitude were becoming the polar opposite of that.

"I don’t believe what I’m hearing," Elmina said with an indignant expression. "You’re even more foolish than I thought. Alhazad repenting for his sins? Ha! That’ll be the day Arctica becomes a tropical paradise!"

"Elmina-" Justine started in protest.

"Shut it!" the Sword Princess snapped, interrupting the Guardian. "I have been closer to Alhazad than any human on Filgaia. I know that creep personally. He bows before nobody, he serves no one, and if you’re stupid enough to believe that you can control him, you have another thing coming."

The Guardian of Courage growled lowly. "How dare you talk back to me, human! I am doing your family a favor by arranging for your old foe to repent for all the hardship he caused."

"More like you’re trying to force him to atone," the warrior countered, folding her arms under her chest. "Do I sense an ulterior motive behind your little scheme?"

"You dare question the intentions of one of the three great Guardian Lords? I devise a means to put an end to the constant strife between your mortal foe and those you love, and I am greeted with suspicion and cynicism? Foolish woman, you should be grateful that I am granting you this chance for peace."

"I should be grateful," Elmina asked incredulously. "I should be grateful?! Who’s the one who rewarded the people who brought him back to Filgaia by reviving the scoundrel who’d caused them so much pain and misery?"

"Elmina," Cecilia warned with a concerned look.

"And THEN," Elmina went on, growing more enraged by the moment, "you have the unmitigated GALL to tell me that I should be grateful of what you have done! You pompous, backstabbing bastard! I should pluck out all your whiskers for this outrage!"

Justine let out a bloodcurdling scream of rage, which was heard for miles in every direction. "I will not tolerate resistance!" he shouted. "If you will not cooperate, then you must be eliminated!"

"That is quite enough, Justine," Cecilia said sternly, producing her wand. "Lay a finger on either of us, especially me, and you will be committing high treason. I am the shaman of all the Guardians, in case you forgot. Harm me, and you shall personally answer to Lord Zephyr."

"I answer to no one! My will and authority are absolute in this endeavor! No one shall disrupt the plan, no one."

"Who’s plan," Elmina asked with a hard look.

"Stop, Justine!" a powerful voice spoke from behind the Guardian of Courage. He turned around, and saw a huge brownish orange dinosaur appear behind him. A large horn protruded out from the top of its head, and its reptilian eyes peered at the humanoid lion.

"Denogenos!" Justine exclaimed. "You dare interfere with my plans as well?"

"Your plans may lead hundreds of lives to ruin, and Lord Zephyr will hear about you threatening the Innocent One’s life. Tread lightly, my misguided brother. Your life may depend on it."

Justine snarled menacingly at the Mountain Guardian, but the great dinosaur refused to be intimidated.

Denogenos turned to face Cecilia. "Innocent One, it is good that you have come."

"Wh… why is that, Denogenos," Cecilia asked curiously.

"I sense a disturbance in the mountains. You and the Sword Princess must seek it out, and if necessary, neutralize it."

"Oh no," a concerned Elmina spoke quietly, "the mountain pass."

"We shall do as you command, Denogenos," Cecilia respectfully replied with a curt bow.

"No!" Justine snapped. "You must not interfere!" He spun around to the Mountain Guardian. "I shall investigate the disturbance, Denogenos. It is not necessary to involve these women. They have done more than enough for this world, and it would be a travesty to lose them in such a mundane occurrence."

Denogenos’ eyes narrowed dangerously. "Deception, Justine? I’d thought you were above that. Such antics alone make me wary to trust you at this point. Cecilia, on the other hand, has done everything we have asked, and more. She is worthy for such a mission, and if this is in any way connected to Alhazad, she has our full permission to terminate him."

"NOOO!!" Justine screamed at the top of his lungs, drawing his mighty blade. "I will not allow you to destroy him! The plan will be executed without fail!"

"I think not. Your plan was ill advised in the first place. Cecilia is under OUR protection, Justine. Interfere with one Guardian, and you interfere with all of us. Do you think you can fight the entire Guardian race by yourself?"

The lion snarled at the dinosaur, his sword hand shaking in rage.

"Now," the Mountain Guardian continued, "I am taking them to the mountains. Their assistance is needed there. I only hope your charge is not responsible, or there will be repercussions. Mark my word." The huge reptilian creature raised his claw aloft, and his whole body began to glow with an aura that matched the color of his body. A few moments later, Elmina and Cecilia also began to glow with the same color. Their glows grew respectively brighter, too bright to be seen by anyone on deck, or Justine. After a few more seconds, there was a bright orange flash, lighting up the ship and the whole beach. The power released from the flash was beyond anything capable by regular humans. Once it died down, Denogenos, Cecilia, and Elmina were gone.

The crew on deck was frozen in fear. They had never seen a Guardian appear before them, let alone two. Bartholomew was overwhelmed by the experience and passed out. Justine still remained, however, his whole body trembling with rage. "Those fools," he said to himself, "they’ll ruin everything. I cannot allow this." With those words, he disappeared from sight.

Alician Van Burace awoke early, which was hardly unusual for someone his age. He had always loved mornings, and wasn’t yet old enough to understand why the rest of the household wasn’t as excited about mornings as him. Most of them lacked the youthful exuberance that young Alician possessed, and weren’t always very appreciative of him waking them all up around dawn.

Alician looked around, and noticed that Mariel was sound asleep in a chair beside the bed. The youngest of the Van Burace family slowly crept out of bed, being careful not to awaken his adoptive aunt. He couldn’t help but sense a feeling of uncertainty about the room. The previous night, Mariel had told him that his father was seriously injured when the castle fell. The house wasn’t the same with both of his parents away, and Alician knew it. Though Mariel, Erica, and Rudy were still around, he really missed his mother and father. Their absence made Alician feel very nervous and uneasy. It was a feeling he had never experienced in his short life, and he really didn’t like it.

The boy quietly walked towards the door of his room, looking back at Mariel as he went. After a few moments, he reached the door leading out of his room. He took one last look behind him, and saw Mariel was still asleep. He reached up to the doorknob, and quietly turned it. He slowly opened the door, and crept outside, closing the door behind him, but not loud enough to wake up the ancient Elw.

The youngest Van Burace made his way down the hallway, until he reached the stairway leading to the first floor. The inside of the house was very cold, very still. It seemed so different, almost unfamiliar to Alician. It almost didn’t seem like the same home he knew and loved during the summer. The absence of his parents made a tremendous difference in the atmosphere of the domicile, which was very noticeable.

Alician made his way the down the stairs, looking for any warmth, any resemblance of the happy home he used to know. The younger Van Burace heard a rumbling noise coming from the living room, where the stillness seemed to be even greater than upstairs. It sounded like some sort of animal was sleeping in the living room. Alician was becoming terrified, an emotion he had never felt before in his young life. However, in spite of the fear in his heart, his young curiosity was getting the better of him, and he continued down to the first floor.

The young boy proceeded into the living room. The fire in the hearth had long since died out. His green eyes darted to the sofa, and saw the same man he met in the Pub sleeping upon it. The rumbling noise Alician heard earlier was coming from the man on the couch, and it happened every time he exhaled. The air around the couch seemed much colder than on the second floor. It was almost like the man was lowering the temperature of the whole house, just by his mere presence. Alician was starting to get the sniffles. His weak immunity system was failing him, and he was in danger in catching another cold. He knew he should’ve returned to his room, but he felt himself being drawn to the man, in spite of his fear and sniffling.

Alician stopped by the side of the sofa, within a foot of the sleeping man. His purple coat was acting as a blanket, and his sunglasses rested by the night table aside the couch. Alician slowly reached out with his right hand towards the man’s face. His fingers touched the sleeping figure’s visage, and he couldn’t help but notice the coldness of the man’s skin. Alician also received a mild shock when he touched the man’s features. He gasped mildly, though not loud enough to awaken the man on the sofa. Alician lightly touched his face again, tapping at his cold skin.

Suddenly, the man’s eyes opened without any warning. Alician backed off as he saw the man’s eyes were a deep crimson, much like Rudy’s eyes. A low growl came from the stranger on the sofa, as he slowly arose from his sleeping position. He got to his feet, and threw his coat upon him. He threw his hand to the side, and his sunglasses levitated off the table, and floated into his grasp. Alician instantly backed away from the man, as he gazed upon him with his cold red eyes. The young boy and never seen anyone looking at him with such an ominous expression, and it scared him like nothing else he’d ever experienced.

"Why did you awaken me?" the man asked coldly, eying the young child who’d disrupted his sleep.

Alician backed away to the stairs, and the man began to slowly approach him, his red eyes starting to glow. The youngest of the Van Burace cried out in fear, and scampered up the stairs. Once he reached the top of the stairs, he made a break for his room, desperately grabbing the door handle and flinging the door open.

Alician leaped into Mariel, almost knocking her out of her chair. "It’s him!" the boy cried out. "It’s that man! He’s… he’s…"

"Alician?" the Elw began, startled by her charge literally pouncing upon her, "what are you doing? What is going on?"

"That man… he’s… he’s coming! Save me, Auntie! Save me!"

Mariel gave the boy a confused look, as he continued to cry out in a frightened voice. In the midst of his wailing, the ancient girl saw the same man she saw in the Pub standing in the doorway. The only difference in him was that his sunglasses were off, revealing his glowing red eyes, and his sinister looking eyebrows. The man let out a hissing breath as he saw Alician again.

"You!" Mariel exclaimed. "I should’ve known. How dare you terrorize an innocent child!"

"There are no innocents," the stranger replied in an icy voice. "All humans are born corrupt," he continued, slowly walking into the room. "They are a depraved, immature lot that need to be tightly controlled in order to avert their own destruction." He stopped a yard or so from them, his fingers bending and flexing in a menacing fashion. "That little whelp you defend so fervently shall be no different than any of the other dregs who have infected this world for countless centuries."

The flower girl squinted at him, while Alician still wailed in Mariel’s arms, too frightened of the individual in the room to speak out against him.

"What’s going on here," a demanding voice said from outside. A few moments later, Mariel and Alician saw Rudy entering the room in a huff, a tired and angry look on his face. His demeanor indicated that he’d just woken up, and he wasn’t pleased about it. Aubrey also knew the Holmcross was in the room, but he didn’t turn to face him. He merely made note that Rudy was present, all the while keeping his gaze fixed on Alician.

Rudy glanced at both Aubrey and Mariel, still waiting an explanation. He hadn’t slept well the night before, and the last thing he wanted to awaken him was screams of mortal terror. He finally walked by Aubrey and stood neat the space between the strange man and the frightened child by the wall. "What just happened," Rudy asked sternly.

The incognito Alhazad tilted his head up and peered at Alician down his nose. "You are a naughty child, Alician," he began in a cold voice. "Waking up everyone in the house for no reason, and considering that some of us did not have a good night’s sleep. Is this what you deem acceptable behavior?"

Alician was far too scared to make any response.

Mariel glared at the stranger. "Even if he did wake you up, that is no reason to terrify him like this!"

The Demon Lord glanced at Mariel. "Are you saying that inappropriate behavior should not be punished? I wholeheartedly disagree. He needs to learn discipline, lest his antics degenerate further. If you are not willing to administer discipline when it is necessary, then you are not worthy to be his godmother."

"How dare you!" the Elw girl snapped, releasing Alician and walking forward to confront Aubrey. "You have no right to judge me, evil one! If anyone should be punished here, it is you!"

"Enough!" Rudy interjected, standing between Aubrey and Mariel. "No more slandering in this house!" The blue-haired man turned to the child. "Alician, how many times do we have to tell you not to wake everyone up in the morning?"

"I… I… I’m sorry, Uncle Rudy," Alician said tentatively, still frightened by Aubrey’s presence.

Rudy sighed gravely, knowing he’d been through the scenario many times with Jack and Elmina’s son. He then turned to the young man he’d first met the previous night in the kitchen. "Aubrey," he began, "outside, now."

The former Quarter Knight turned to his right and slowly made his way out of the room, making certain that he never made eye contact with Rudy. Once outside the room, he replaced his sunglasses.

Rudy came out of the room, closing the door behind him. He found Aubrey standing in the hallway, waiting for him. "Aubrey," he started firmly, "listen to me. You’re only a guest here, so don’t go around taking matters into your own hands."

A faint sneer came to the strange man’s lip. He had been taking matters into his own hands all of his life, and wasn’t planning to stop then. "If I do not administer discipline when it is needed," he replied in a hard voice, "who will."

"He’s only four years old," Rudy retorted.

"That is irrelevant. No child is too young to learn discipline. Is it not lack of discipline that leads to much of the evil in the world today? And if the boy never learns it, will he not in fact contribute to the decay of Filgaia?"

Rudy shook his head. "You just don’t get it, do you? You can’t be like that around children. They’re very delicate."

"If they stay delicate, they shall be crushed by this merciless world. Life is a battleground, Mister Roughknight, not a playground. One must become strong, or they shall be torn apart in life. Their delicacy will be their undoing."

The Holmcross squinted at Aubrey. He heard no compassion in the man’s voice, only a cold harshness apparently brought upon by a less than peaceful past. "How did you get to be so cold at such a young age.." he asked, finding it hard to believe that any one Erica could have fallen for could’ve been so rigid.

"Practice," Aubrey replied, "lots of practice."

Rudy bowed his head for a moment, and then looked back at the young man. "Listen, whatever happened to you before you came here, please don’t bring it into our lives. Let it go, and move on. You’ll be a better person for it, trust me."

Aubrey narrowed his eyes behind his shades. He had no intention of relinquishing what had driven him during the war. There were matters that he planned to resolve, and he wouldn’t stop until they were resolved, no matter the cost.

"Anyway," the ARMs meister went on, "make sure Erica gets up in time for the Mayor’s announcement, would you?"

The former demon relaxed his stance. "As you wish," he replied, knowing full well Erica had other plans for the day, but he wasn’t about to let Rudy or anyone know. He turned around and made his way downstairs, his hands behind his back.

At that moment, the door to Alician’s room opened, and the diminutive Mariel came out into the hallway. "Is he gone?" she asked.

"He’s gone." Rudy replied, not turning to face Mariel.

"I don’t trust him, Rudy," the Elw continued. "There is so much evil within him. I suspect he might’ve had something to do with the castle’s collapse yesterday, but I cannot prove it."

The grandson of Zepet Roughknight turned abruptly to face the Elw. "Those are pretty serious charges," he noted. "How do we know it was him? Do think Erica would be so attached to someone so violent?"

"I fear Erica’s loneliness may have influenced her decision. Lonely people will seek company from anyone, especially if their emptiness is so great, it overrules their better judgment."

"I’ll keep watch, Mariel, and I will tell Jack what you’ve just said." Rudy sighed gravely. "I don’t know how we’ll explain this to Elmina when she comes home."

"She also needs to know, Rudy," Mariel said urgently, "it is her daughter we’re talking about. Anyway, once Alician and myself are prepared, we shall depart for Rosetta."

"Take care."

"We will."

Chapter Text

Elmina and Cecilia materialized at the edge of the mountain pass leading to Arctica. A light snow was falling in the area, coating the frozen ground with another sheet of sparkling white. The landscape seemed different than it had been during the war. The menace of the Metal Demons was gone, and the air seemed very much alive, albeit cold. There was a welcoming feel about the land once again, something it lacked years earlier.

Suddenly, Cecilia felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach, causing her to slump forward. The mage groaned softly as her soul felt the essence of danger about them.

"Cecilia!" Elmina said aloud, coming before her and holding her shoulders. "What’s wrong," she asked with a worried look.

"We must hurry," the blonde woman said in a pained voice. "Something terrible is happening in the mountains."

"Right, follow me."

Elmina lead the way into the pass. The cavernous passageways were even more frigid than outside, causing both women to wrap their cloaks tighter around them. The cold winds blowing through the pass sounded hollow and eerie. It seemed rather ominous to Cecilia, who’d never been through the Arctican mountain pass before. Elmina, however, knew the pass by heart, and wasn’t threatened by the cold aura it generated.

They continued through the pass, which had a noticeable incline to it, indicating that they were going uphill. After a couple of minutes, a group of four small gray bipeds appeared before them, their heads bobbing like their necks were made of springs.

"Finally," Elmina remarked with an eager smile, "some real action." She quickly drew her sword, and got into her battle stance.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Cecilia added, producing her wand.

Elmina took the initiative and slashed the nearest creature, inflicting serious damage.

"I hate you!" another humanoid snapped, leaping forth and driving its oddly shaped head into Elmina’s stomach, injuring the swordswoman.

"What he said!" the third creature spoke, and also nailed the warrior.

"Quit picking on her, creeps!" Cecilia said sharply, and nailed the injured monster with her wand, felling the creature.

The last monster nailed Cecilia in the gut, wounding the mage.

Elmina moved in and slashed the next monster, seriously wounding it.

"I hate you!" the monster cried out, and nailed the knight in the stomach with its head.

"So do I!" the next creature shouted, driving its cranium into Elmina’s gut.

"Stop that!" Cecilia said angrily. She shook off her irritation, and focused on Elmina. "HEAL!!" A ring of sparkles appeared around Elmina and rained down on her, healing her injuries.

"Thanks, Cecilia," the swordswoman remarked gratefully.

"Bitch!" the last monster snapped, and also head butted the Sword Princess.

"Alright!" an insulted Elmina retorted. "That does it! SONIC BUSTER!!" Slashing across with her sword, Elmina sent a cutting wave of air into the remaining monsters, which exploded from the assault.

Cecilia’s brown eyes shrunk into little black dots, witnessing the brutal deaths of their enemies. "Wasn’t that a bit excessive," she asked.

"They shouldn’t have called me a bitch," the swordswoman replied, unapologetic about her actions. "Come on!"

They proceeded further up the pass. The tunnels twisted about in a snakelike fashion, and Cecilia wasn’t sure if they were making any progress, or going around in circles. However, she trusted Elmina’s judgment, since she knew the way through the pass by heart. She only hoped they wouldn’t have any incidents like on the pier, when Elmina came seriously close to killing another human being. One of Cecilia’s objectives was to prevent the return of Lady Harken, and she didn’t want her friend to slide back into her old killing habits.

The group entered another part of the cavern, and Cecilia’s uneasiness grew stronger. She knew they were getting closer to the source of the chaos Denogenos warned them about earlier. Suddenly, a large white mutant worm appeared, with multiple spikes on top of its head, and a fanged maw, dripping with saliva. It had a single horn coming out from its forehead, and a long pointed tail. Beside it was a large grayish skull, floating in midair and peering at the women with its soulless yellow eyes.

"Alright!" Elmina exclaimed, drawing her sword. "Let’s have some fun!"

"You’re enjoying this too much," Cecilia blandly remarked, a sweat drop running down the side of her face, as she looked sidelong to her companion.

The Sword Princess leaped forward and slashed the skull with her sword, inflicting impressive damage. Cecilia soon jumped in and nailed the skull with her wand, wounding the creature even further. It was badly injured, but not quite finished.

"DISEASE BREATH!!" the worm shouted, emitted a spray of some sickly substance from its mouth, nailing both women. Cecilia was unfazed, while Elmina fell to one knee, her face turning an unhealthy shade of green.

"Oh no," Cecilia said in concern, "Elmina."

"KEEN SILF!!" the skull shouted, unleashing a pair of huge tornadoes into them, moderately wounding them.

Elmina groaned in pain, as the disease ran rampant through her body. She forced herself back up, and brought her sword in a readied position. The redhead jumped forward and slashed the skull again, finally killing the malefic beast. However, the woman was too weakened by the disease to retreat, and the worm moved in and nailed her with its horned head, decently injuring Elmina.

"Elmina!" Cecilia cried out. She ran to her side, produced a Medicine from her pouch, and administered it to the stricken Sword Princess. The medicine worked its way through Elmina’s body, curing the disease completely.

"Ah," the swordswoman said in relief, "that’s much better. Thanks."

"No problem," Cecilia sweetly replied.

The two women quickly got out of the monster’s reach.

"Okay, slimy!" Elmina said to the worm. "You’re gonna pay for making me sick!" She moved in and slashed hard across the monster’s body, inflicting a serious wound to the monster.

Cecilia leaped in and nailed the beast atop the head with her staff, all but killing the giant worm.

The monster tried to head butt Elmina again, but the Fenril Knight deftly avoided it, and then nailed him with a counterstrike, ending the worm’s unnatural life.

"Great shot!" Cecilia called out.

"Thanks!" Elmina replied, jumping back to her companion’s side. "I think I’m finally getting back into shape. Sometimes, a warrior needs a real battle in order to keep their edge."

"I think there’ll plenty of those coming," the mage commented, though her voice indicated a lack of enthusiasm about the subject. "Let’s go."

The pair continued up through the mountain. The ascent went on for almost twenty minutes, but there were no encounters with monsters, so it was a relatively safe walk, save for the frozen path and the cold winds always blowing through the tunnel. Cecilia noted that were very few monsters in the pass. Then, she remembered that monster attacks dropped dramatically after the war ended. Though they didn’t disappear completely, they weren’t as great a threat as before. The blonde woman was grateful that she could’ve helped end the war and save Filgaia.

Elmina and Cecilia neared a natural opening, and bright sunlight shined through. "We’re almost at the summit," Elmina said aloud. "After that, it’s all downhill."

Cecilia wondered if that was a good choice of words.

Without warning, a group of four floating diamonds, radiating with evil auras, moved in to block the way to the summit.

"Four of them?!" Cecilia exclaimed. "They’ve never attacked in such great numbers before."

"Looks like the rules of changes," Elmina commented. "No problem, I’m game!"

"I knew she was enjoying this too much," Cecilia said to herself, rolling her eyes up into her head.

Elmina nailed one of the diamonds with her sword, but it inflicted a lot less damage than she was expecting. Granted, there was a decent gash in the evil jewel, but not nearly as much as she planned. "Darn it," she snarled. "I hate these things."

"So do I," Cecilia replied, remembering the evil diamonds only too well. She leaped forth and nailed the damaged jewel with her wand. There were a lot more cracks, but the jewel wasn’t destroyed. "Darn," she said to herself.

The damaged jewel slammed into Cecilia’s stomach, somewhat injuring the princess.

"HI-SHIELD!!" the diamond beside the damaged gem shouted in a ringing, crystalline voice. Rings of light appeared under each of the jewels. Beams of white energy shot up and spun around them. Three spheres circled around each jewel, with the letters "DFP" within the orbs.

"Oh great," Cecilia muttered, knowing that the jewels’ defensive strength had increased. "Now they’re even tougher to crack."

"Just what we didn’t need," Elmina added with a discouraged expression.

The jewels on the far left streaked forward and nailed the knight, while the diamond on the far right smashed Cecilia in the stomach again. Both women were quite wounded, though the mage was in far worse shape, having taken two hits to the warrior’s one.

"This isn’t good," Elmina remarked. "Isn’t there a way break their shields?"

"Not all at once," Cecilia replied. "That would take too long. I can, however, increase our attacking power. We want to defeat these evil gems as soon as possible."

"Do it."

The jewels took advantage of the situation, and the far left jewel nailed Elmina in the gut.

"OW!" the redhead cried out, the wind knocked out of her by the attack. "Why you! PSYCHO CRACKER!!" a vexed Elmina struck the attacking diamond with her sword. Spires of light shot out of the jewel, resulting in a huge explosion of psychic energy that tore the diamond to pieces.

The jewel that was damaged glowed curiously, almost like it was assessing the situation. It glowed with a strange blue light, spinning in midair like a top. Another diamond came out to join the others.

"Oh, that’s fair," Elmina said sarcastically.

"This can’t be," Cecilia said in disbelief. "They never had that ability before." She let out a frustrated sigh. "But enough talk," she said, turning to Elmina. "HYPER!!" A red circle of energy appeared under the swordswoman. Beams of red light shot up, spinning around Elmina. Three white spheres circled around her body, each with the letters "ATP" within them.

"Oh yeah!" the knight exclaimed, her offensive strength doubled from the spell. "Now we’re talking!" She wore an eager grin on her face, but no other visible changes.

The diamonds who hadn’t attacked seemed to stop in midair. They turned to each other, their inner glow dimming a bit. "Crap!" they said in unison, their scintillating voice echoing throughout the cave.

Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh. She knew the evil diamonds were different from before, but she never guessed they’d react so comically.

One jewel lunged forth and nailed Elmina in the stomach. She was still wounded, but her smile remained. It almost looked like she enjoyed being hurt. The jewel quickly retreated, almost seeming fearful of the powered up Sword Princess.

The last jewel spun around and glowed, summoning another diamond to join the fight.

"This is getting ridiculous," Cecilia remarked, a perturbed expression on her face.

"Bring ‘em on!" Elmina declared boldly. "I’ll reduce them to dust with my blade!"

"I wonder if using Hyper was a good idea," Cecilia thought to herself. "I hope I haven’t inadvertently defeated my purpose."

The red-haired warrior leaped forth and slashed the damaged jewel, cleaving it in half. The two halves fell to the ground, their energy dwindled to nothing.

"Oh my goodness," the mage remarked, impressed by her comrade’s attack. "This might work after all." She turned to another jewel, focusing her magic power. "SAINT!!" she called out, sending a large white beam of holy energy into the evil diamond, causing it to explode into a million pieces.

"Woo hoo!" Elmina shouted in elation. "Way to go, Princess!"

Cecilia covered her face with her slender hand. "She actually liked that," she said to herself, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

One of the diamonds glowed brightly, and rose up into the air. "DANGEROUS OBJECT 666!!" it shouted. An enormous explosion of magical energy erupted around her, critically wounding and leaving her barely alive.

"Cecilia!" Elmina called out, horrified by her friend’s current state.

Another jewel streaked forth and nailed the swordswoman, inflicting decent damage upon her. The last one moved in and slammed into Cecilia, who fell facedown onto the frozen ground.

"NO!!!" the Sword Princess screamed, shocked to see Cecilia felled in battle. She knelt by her friend, wondering if she was still alive. She turned Cecilia over onto her back, and felt for a heartbeat.

She felt nothing.

Elmina’s face fell, mortified that Cecilia was dead. Tears of sorrow fell from her eyes, saddened by the loss of her friend. And then, her sorrow turned to rage, as she looked hatefully at the floating diamonds. "You BASTARDS!!" she shouted at them, rising to her feet. "NOW YOU DIE!!" Her sword glowed with a blue aura, and her eyes actually seemed to glow, much to the surprise of the jewels, which began to slowly back away from the redhead.

Elmina glared menacingly at the diamonds. "GUILTY BLADE!!" She leaped high into the air, and sent down a huge wave blue energy from her sword. The wave crashed into the ground, creating an enormous explosion that ripped the jewels to shreds. Once the explosion died down, there was nothing left of the enemies, not even dust.

The Sword Princess landed on her feet, stopping to realize what she’d done. "Oh my Guardians," she said with a shocked look. "I… I was… acting like… Harken again." She held her head, desperately trying to deny what happened. "No, no!" she cried to herself, shaking her head from side to side. "I don’t want to… be that monster again. I can’t." She began crying, as tears ran from her grieving emerald eyes.

A weak groan came from near Elmina, snapping her out of her sorrow. She looked about, and saw Cecilia’s body stirring. "Cecilia!" she said, kneeling by the blonde woman’s fallen form. "Oh Cecilia, are you alright?"

"Oww," the mage groaned, "that was really cheesy. I hate it when they do that."

Elmina sighed sadly. "I’m sorry, I lost control… just like on the pier. I feel so awful right now."

"Don’t blame yourself," Cecilia said weakly. "If anyone should be blamed for this, it’s Alhazad. His mere presence brings pain to you, and your family, and I’m starting to believe that he is behind this insanity in the pass. We have to stop him."

"We will, Cecilia," the redhead said reassuringly. "We will." She reached into her own pouch and pulled out a Mega Berry. "Here," she said, offering the berry to the fallen princess, "eat this."

Cecilia weakly reached up and took the large fruit. She slowly began eating it, savoring the taste of the berry as she ingested it. Once it was wholly eaten, the energy of the fruit was released within Cecilia, who groaned as a massive amount of healing energy surged through her body. Her grievous injuries were mended before Elmina’s eyes. Once it had finished, Cecilia was back in fighting shape. Even though she was still somewhat wounded, her life was no longer in danger.

"Ah," the blonde exclaimed, "that is a big relief." She looked up at her friend, who still knelt by her side. "Thanks again, Elmina."

"Hey," the swordswoman replied with a sad yet grateful smile, "no problem. That’s what friends are for, right?"

"Exactly." Cecilia slowly got back to her feet, still feeling a lingering effect of the brutal underhanded tactics of their enemies. "Let’s get going," she said to Elmina. "We have to complete our mission."

"Gladly," Elmina responded, relieved that her friend was alive again. Silently, she berated herself for her conduct during the battle, and promised herself to never allow danger to befall Cecilia again.

The two women emerged from the cave and the cold air of the Arctican Mountains blasted them full in the face. They shivered from the sudden change in climate, but they welcomed the scent of fresh air, and the sight of sunlight. It was a tremendous change from the dark interior of the mountain pass.

They continued on the path, which seemed to go around the side of the mountain. At the end was another opening that led back into the dark inside of the mountain. There were two men guarding the opening, both clad in heavy wool coats, slightly concealing their breastplates. Each wielded a long spear. They both had short brunette hair. They appeared to be novice guards.

One of the guards saw them coming and stepped forward. "Oh, Commander," he said, looking right at Elmina. "I thought you were gone for a couple of months."

"Things… didn’t go as planned," Elmina said tentatively, hoping she wouldn’t have to go into specifics.

"You find out the real reason Dolby wanted you," the other guard asked, coming to join them. He had a mischievous look on his face, which really worried Cecilia.

"Travis!" the first guard snapped, glaring at his comrade.

The redhead drew her lips tightly together, not amused by the guard’s words. She leaned her head towards him. "How would you know that," she asked with a stern look.

"Hey," an unfazed Travis continued, "I used to live in Port Timney. I know what Percival Dolby is like. I lost my girlfriend because of the geezer. Tch, some people."

Elmina slapped her hand over her forehead. "I should’ve talked to you first. I’d have saved myself all that aggravation."

The first guard was shocked. "You mean it really was a trick?"

The Sword Princess nodded. "But enough about that," she said crisply. "What is our situation here?"

"There’s some sort of disturbance on the north end, ma’am. The monsters are going berserk on that side. We don’t know what’s causing it."

"He’s right," Cecilia said urgently. "It’s coming from beyond that entrance."

"Come again," the guard asked.

"Sorry." The mage turned to her companion. "We need to get down there, now!"

"Right," Elmina replied.

"B… b… b... but it’s dangerous down there!" the first guard protested. "There are hundreds of monsters running amok. You’ll get killed, Commander."

"We’ll be fine," the swordswoman said firmly, her voice indicating that the discussion was over.

"Y… y… yes, ma’am."

Elmina looked meaningfully at the pair of guards. "If you’re that concerned about my welfare, then accompany us into the north end. You two need to experience real battle."

"B… b… but Commander," the guard said hesitantly.

"Hey," Travis piped in, "don’t be a wuss, Bob. The boss lady wants us to come with her, so we must come."

"Oh my goodness," Cecilia groaned, sensing a double meaning to Travis’ agreement.

Elmina turned her hard gaze to Travis. "Let’s make one thing perfectly clear," she started sternly, "Travis. This is a military mission, so I suggest you start taking it seriously. And if I hear any more of your perverted comments, I will personally demonstrate true battle to you, and I won’t hold back. Understand?"

"Geez," the overly hormonal novice replied, trying to placate his superior, "no need to get hostile, ma’am. Sure, I understand. Really."

Elmina’s didn’t even flinch. "I haven’t even begun to get hostile," she said coldly. "Come."

The red-haired beauty proceeded through the entrance. Bob and Travis looked at one another, shrugged their shoulders, and followed the female knight.

Cecilia watched them entering the pass with a concerned look. "Is this still Elmina," she asked herself, "or is it Harken? The line between them isn’t as firm as I thought. I hope she doesn’t cross it, then she won’t have a chance against Alhazad." She sighed worriedly, and went into the caves.

The group of four proceeded down into the northern end of the pass. Elmina and Cecilia quickly got reacquainted with the dark cavernous passageways. Bob followed behind them, an anxious expression on his young face. He’d never fought in a real battle, so he was extremely nervous. Travis tried to look confident and sure of himself, and the thought of being near two pretty women really excited him. It made Bob even more concerned about their prospects.

They had walked for a good minute before a large green sphinx blocked their path, flanked by two more gray bipeds. The sphinx grinned at them with demonic glee. Bob cried out in fear, for he’d never encountered a monster before.

"Get a grip, rookie!" Elmina said sharply behind her shoulder. "Remember your training!"

"Um… alright," Bob replied tentatively, bringing out his spear.

"They don’t look so tough," Travis remarked with a cocky smirk. "I’ll take ‘em all out!" He brought out his own spear.

Elmina groaned to herself, sorely tempted to hurt Travis. Shaking her head, she focused on the battle again. The Sword Princess drew her sword, leaped forward and slashed one of the bipeds, inflicting massive damage to the small creature.

Cecilia brought out her staff, and smashed it over the wounded biped’s head, which all but smashed its skull in and ended its inhuman existence.

The remaining biped leaped forward and butted Bob with its head, decently wounding the pass guard.

"OW!" Bob cried out, feeling real pain in battle for the first time.

"You wimp," Travis commented, annoyed by the seemingly thin skin of his comrade. "Let me show you how it’s done." He moved in and jabbed his spear into the sphinx’s tough hide, moderately wounding the beast.

The monster was not amused, and whooped the cocky youth upside the head with its’ huge paw, sending him hard to the ground.

"Medic," Travis said weakly.

"Oh, that was smart," Bob called out. "Taking on the larger foe first. Really." Shaking off the effects of being wounded for the first time, the young guard leaped forward and stabbed the remaining biped with his spear, decently wounding him. Bob quickly retreated and looked at his spear, realizing it was the first time he’d struck a true enemy. "What do you know," he remarked, "I actually did it."

"See," Elmina spoke, smiling at the novice, "it’s not so bad. Nice hit, rookie."

"Um," the youth replied sheepishly, unsure about how to handle Elmina’s praise, "th… thank you, Commander."

The sphinx leaped forth and whapped Cecilia with its’ paw, lightly wounding the sorceress.

"Ow!" Cecilia cried out in pain. "You jerk!"

"I second that," Elmina replied, who proceeded to slash the remaining biped, finishing him off.

The Innocent One concentrated her energy. "REMEDY!!" she shouted, and rings of stardust appeared over every member of the group. The stardust lightly fell upon them, healing the injured members fully.

"Alright!" Travis declared, leaping to his feet. "I’m back in action!" He gave the sphinx a dirty look. "And you’re headed back to Hell!" He jumped in and plunged his spear into the creature’s hide, drawing vile blood and wounding it further.

The sphinx whapped Travis upside the head again, sending him to the ground once more.

"He really mustn’t like you," Bob said in observation. He jumped forth and stabbed the beast, inflicting moderate injuries to the monster before leaping away.

Elmina was the next to attack, and her sword strike proved to be the final blow that felled the vile beast.

"We did it," Bob said in awe, as he realized he’d won his first real battle.

"YES!" Travis declared, leaping to his feet and raising his spear into the air. "Who da man! We are so bad! Go Travis, go Travis, uh huh!" he went on, swirling his spear into the air. He went on for about thirty seconds before he saw Elmina giving him a hard stare, and he stopped in mid-sentence.

The redhead folded her arms under her chest, leveling her gaze at the youth. "What do you think you’re doing," she asked sternly.

"Um, I’m… celebrating our glorious victory."

Elmina dipped her chin down, keeping her eyes on Travis. "That was just our first battle. There’s plenty more where they came from."

"Yeah? Well, bring ‘em on!" he declared, holding his long spear in the air. "I’ll take down anyone, anywhere, anytime!"

The Sword Princess didn’t even blink her green eyes. "Don’t make me take you up on that offer."

"Um," Cecilia interjected, "can we get going now? As you said, there’s plenty more where they came from."

Elmina turned her head in Cecilia’s direction. "Certainly," she replied. She gave Travis one last perturbed look, and made her way down the tunnel, the others following right behind her.

The group continued downhill for the next ten or so minutes without any encounters. Elmina was scanning the entire area thoroughly, ready to fight whenever the occasion arrived. Cecilia was becoming extremely uneasy, as she felt they were closing in on the source of the chaos. Bob was feeling a bit more confident, but knew it was far too quiet. Travis was looking a bit annoyed, wanting for a fight, but preferably without being hit himself. He really didn’t like being hit back.

They were approaching the end of the next section of the caverns, and heard nasty, inhuman growling coming from the opening at the end of the passageway. It sounded like a group of monsters were gathering for some unknown, yet undeniably dark purpose.

"M… monsters," Bob uttered. "Dozens, no, hundreds of them!"

"What the hell are they doing in there," Travis asked, starting to become somewhat afraid.

"I don’t know, and I don’t think I want to know."

"Darn it!" Elmina snapped. "They’re blocking the way to Arctica. Is it some sort of army?"

Before anyone could answer, a small group of monsters came out of the opening. A pair of blue winged demons emerged, with a large floating diamond in between them. "Oh goodie," one of the demons said in a hissing voice, "more human flesh to feast upon."

Elmina hissed at the demon, getting a rough idea of what was happening in the caves. "Feast on this, ugly!" she said sharply. "METEOR DIVE!!" Charging up her sword, the Sword Princess leaped high into the air, and descended with a fiery down-wards slash, which practically melted one of the winged creatures.

"Holy!" Bob uttered, never imagining Elmina was so powerful.

"I can do that!" Travis boasted.

"You wish!"

"Stop bickering!" Elmina snapped at the novices.

"Yes, ma’am!" they said in unison.

"Boys," Cecilia said to herself. She focused on the diamond, and concentrated her magic. "ARMOR DOWN!!" A ring of blue magical spheres rose up around the evil gem. The jewel’s inner glow subsided a bit, telling Cecilia that her attack had worked. "There," she spoke, "that should help."

"Whatever," Travis blandly commented, having never seen magic and being rather indifferent to it. He moved in and plunged his spear into the gem, actually damaging the evil jewel. "Oh yeah!" he proclaimed.

Elmina growled to herself, trying to resist the urge to maim the overconfident mountain pass guard.

The gem’s glow grew brighter, as if annoyed by Travis’ declaration. "DANGEROUS OBJECT 666!!" The evil diamond rose into the air, and created a huge crystalline explosion around the youth, bringing him close to death.

"TRAVIS!" Bob cried out, aghast at his comrade’s wretched condition. "Oh, this is intolerable!" he declared in his anger. He jumped forward and rammed the blade of his spear right into the diamond, creating a sizable hole in the gem’s crust. He retreated back to the others. "No one harms my companions, monster!" he announced, pointing his finger at the damaged gem. It was then that he realized how badly he damaged it, and his change in demeanor. "Is this me doing all this," he asked.

"Of course it’s you, silly," Elmina replied. "That was a great hit, Bob."

"Gee, thanks."

The last winged demon seemed a bit reluctant to engage them, but then flew in and slashed Bob with its claws. The novice was moderately wounded, but nothing truly serious.

Elmina leaped forth and slashed the weakened jewel with her sword, cleaving it in half.

"REMEDY!!" Cecilia shouted, using her healing spell on the entire group. Travis and Bob were back to full strength.

"Okay, shiny," Travis spoke as he got to his feet. "You are so-" He looked about and saw the gem in pieces on the ground. "Oh man, I wanted to beat him up," he complained. "This isn’t fair."

"Quit your whining, kid," Elmina shot back, tiring of Travis’ remarks.

"Geez." Travis moved in and stabbed the last demon, though he wasn’t very enthusiastic about it.

"Oh brother," Bob said to himself, shaking his head at his comrade’s attitude. He also pierced the demon with his spear before jumping back.

The demon looked quite nervous at that point, but it decided to fight to the death. "HI-FREEZE!!" it shouted, encasing everyone in blocks of ice, which soon detonated. The novices were critically wounded, while the more experienced warriors were decently injured.

Elmina looked to see her newest companions in bad shape. They weren’t prepared for such a powerful attack, and were barely alive. She turned back to the monster, a vindictive look in her green eyes. "You’re gonna pay for that, buster!" she snapped at the beast. She leaped forth and slashed hard across the monster’s chest. The winged creature was fatally wounded and collapsed onto the ground, its lifeblood seeping out of the huge gash made by Elmina’s sword.

The Sword Princess sighed gravely, looking at the fallen novices. "Poor kids," she said sadly, "maybe they weren’t ready after all. This is all my fault," she muttered, bowing her head in shame.

"They’re not finished yet," Cecilia countered. "Leave it to me." She stood over the bodies of Bob and Travis. "REMEDY!!" Sparkles of magical energy rained down on the pair, healing their dreadful wounds.

"Oh," Travis groaned, "too cold. Where’s my hot cocoa?"

"That was rather painful," Bob remarked, and then got to his feet. He turned to Cecilia, an awed yet grateful expression on his face. "Th… thank you, miss," he said in a shaky voice.

"Don’t worry about it," the blonde woman sweetly replied. "I’m always glad to help. Oh, I am Cecilia Lynn Adlehyde," she continued, holding out her hand.

"C… C… C… Cecilia Lynn Adlehyde," Bob uttered in shock, "the heroine of the Demon War?"

"Wow," Travis commented, getting to his feet again, "a celebrity." The youth strutted over towards the Princess, leaning against the wall. "Hey, babe," he started with a suggestive smirk, "name’s Travis. You’re pleased to meet me. Want to get better acquainted after all this?"

"No," came Cecilia’s concise reply.

"Aw man," an immediately dejected Travis replied, "you’re no fun."

"This is no time for ‘fun,’" Cecilia replied with a serious look. "We’ve got a dangerous situation here, which requires our complete and total attention. Any distractions could prove deadly."

Bob gasped aloud, grasping the severity of the situation.

"Keep your voice down," Elmina said briskly, "we don’t want to attract any more monsters."

The novice nodded his head, still shaking a bit from the monstrous noises coming from the opening.

Elmina turned to Cecilia with a concerned look. "How are we going to get through there, Cecilia," she asked the sorceress. "There must be a small army in the next cavern. We can’t possibly fight all of them."

The Princess thought about it for a moment. "Maybe we can avoid that," she suggested.

"Really," a surprised Elmina inquired.

Cecilia nodded her head, and turned to the others. "Stay close, everyone." She gave Travis a warning glance. "Not too close."

The cocky youth made a face.

The former Innocent One concentrated her magical energy. "INVISIBLE!!" she shouted, releasing the spell. The bodies of the whole group slowly faded until they were nothing except faint outlines of themselves.

"What the hecht," Travis said, looking at his nigh imperceptible hands.

"This spell will prevent monsters from seeing us," Cecilia explained to everyone. "If they don’t see us, they won’t attack."

"Cool! We can get the jump on them!"

"I wouldn’t advise that," the mage replied. "The purpose is to avoid unnecessary conflict until we can determine exactly what’s going on."

"I suppose you have a point," Bob added.

"Trust me on this, Bob," Cecilia replied. "It’ll be a lot safer. Now, keep your voices down and don’t any sudden moves. This spell is not foolproof."

"Understood," Elmina responded.

Cecilia led the way into the next cavern. Elmina proceeded after her, followed by Bob and Travis. They went in single line formation, so they wouldn’t lose anyone while they were invisible.

They saw scores of monsters inside the cavern. Small gray bipeds, large floating diamonds, blue winged demons, floating gray skulls, huge mutated worms, and evil green sphinxes filled the cave, gathering at the very center. Cecilia’s uneasiness began to magnify, indicating that they were very close to the source of the disturbance Denogenos had warned them about. Elmina fought to keep her breathing under control. It had been years since she’d seen so many monsters in one place. It brought back memories of the attack on Arctica, and of her dark days as Lady Harken, when she commanded forces even larger than what she saw in the cavern. Bob was especially nervous. He’d never seen so many monsters before, and it truly scared him. Even Travis was quite jittery, the massive threat before him subduing his former cockiness.

"What are they doing here," Elmina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I can’t tell just yet," Cecilia quietly replied. "We’ll have to move in for a closer look."

"S… sure thing," Bob said warily, keeping his voice down.

"Y… yeah," Travis nervous added, his whispering voice trembling with fear. "Lead the way."

The party slowly made their way through the monstrous contingent. They got a few suspicious glances, but nothing more. The Invisible spell proved to be a lifesaver at that point. The closer they got to the center, the more aggressive the monsters became. It was like they were fighting over something. The scent of blood and death came from the center of the cavern, making the group almost nauseous.

Finally, the party weaved their way through the monsters to reach the heart of the chamber. The sight that greeted them made them gape in pure horror. In the middle of the cavern was a small group of dead people, their bodies mangled and half-eaten. The party saw the remains of a small family lying amongst the corpses. The youngest didn’t seem to be more than four. A couple of monsters were chewing into the stomach of a recently killed girl, a hideous gash on her neck. Lying next to her was another mutilated corpse, barely recognizable as an elderly man. The monsters had devoured what little flesh remained on his dead body, and moved on.

"How… barbaric," Bob silently uttered, appalled by the carnage before him.

"I think I’m gonna hurl," Travis added, equally sickened by the gruesome spectacle.

"By the Guardians," Cecilia said timidly, "what madness is this?"

Elmina’s breathing quickened, and grew increasingly louder. The hideous sight before her was inflaming her rage. She shook vigorously, her anger becoming almost too great to contain. The infuriated knight reached for her sword, only to feel a restraining hand on her shoulder. She looked beside her, and saw it was Cecilia holding onto her shoulder. "Let me go," Elmina said through clenched teeth, livid at being held back.

"Don’t do it, Elmina," the blonde woman warned her friend. "It’s… too late," she continued quietly, grieving over the fate of the travelers. "They’re already dead. We can’t save any of them now."

"I can’t let this slide," the redhead insisted, her rage all but blinding her to everything else. "Don’t you see? This was an ambush. Only Alhazad could’ve organized such a devious trap." The Sword Princess let out a bitter, yet reasonably quiet sigh. "Justine was a fool to bring him back. Look at all the carnage he’s caused!" she hissed, motioning at the gruesome spectacle.

"Elmina," Cecilia said softly, "let it go. There’s nothing we can do here. We need to get out of here before the spell wears off."

"She’s right, Commander," Bob said to his superior. "We’ll be slaughtered… just like all these people."

Elmina turned to her comrades, still shaking in rage. "What is wrong with you people," she silently demanded. "Are you just going to stand here while these good people are further defiled? Don’t any of you have any courage, any sense of decency? This is abominable! Alhazad must die for this outrage!"

"Keep your voice down, Elmina," Cecilia said urgently, "they’ll hear you."

"We can’t stay here, Commander," Bob added, "its too dangerous."

"I don’t want to become monster chow," Travis said fearfully.

"Don’t worry," Cecilia said to him, "we won’t let that happen." She turned back to the still fuming Sword Princess. "Elmina, we need to go, now. We’re all in terrible danger here."

Elmina glared at the Princess for several seconds, still breathing heavily. She looked like she was about to explode with rage, and take everyone and everything in the vicinity down with her. Then, she noticed several suspicious glances from the monsters, and quickly got a hold of her anger. As she relaxed her breathing, the monsters looked away and continued their inhuman feast. A couple of more creatures looked their way, but they perceived it as nothing and never gave them a second glance.

The knight looked to her friends, feeling a bit ashamed about her earlier comments. "Alright," she said quietly, "let’s get out of here, before I do something rash."

"Sure thing," Cecilia replied. "Follow me."

The sorceress led the invisible group away from the inhuman feast, weaving through the masses of monsters. After a few moments, they made their way out of the monstrous crowd and exited out the other side of the cavern.

The group found themselves in a long, winding passageway, which cut through the interior of the mountain. The sounds of the hideous atrocity echoed behind them through the opening, clawing at their very souls. And at that moment, the Invisible spell wore off, and the party rematerialized.

"That was too close," Cecilia remarked with a haunted look, remembering the carnage she saw in the previous cavern. "Another few moments, and we would’ve had to fight our way out."

"Or die trying," Bob added, still trying to shake the earlier events out of his mind.

"Where’s the bathroom," Travis asked, looking about the passageway.

"I’d like to know that myself," Bob replied, also feeling quite queasy.

Suddenly, Elmina cried out in pain, holding her head. "My head," she spoke in anguish, as thoughts of murder and inhuman rage, thoughts she’d fought so long suppress, began to assault her mind. The stricken swordswoman groaned painfully, struggling to keep her sanity.

"Commander!" Bob exclaimed, running to her side.

"Stay back!" Elmina said sharply, holding out her hand to ward him off. "Don’t come any closer."

"Whoa," a suddenly concerned Travis spoke, "what is it, boss?"

"Elmina!" Cecilia stated urgently, turning to face her friend. "What is it?"

The Fenril Knight raised her pained face to look at Cecilia. "I can feel her," she whispered to the mage. "I feel her rage. She’s beginning to awaken… after all this time. I thought I’d overcome her… but I was wrong." She grit her teeth together, struggling against the darkness within her. "She’s growing stronger," the swordswoman continued, "she wants revenge. She thirsts for bloodshed once again."

"What’s with her," a confused Travis asked, looking at the anguished swordswoman. "Even I can tell this isn’t normal."

"Far from it," Bob replied. He walked over to Cecilia, who was assisting her hurting friend. "Lady Cecilia," he asked.

The blonde woman jumped a bit, and turned around to face him. "Yes, Bob," she asked.

"What’s wrong with the Commander? This isn’t just a bad migraine, is it?"

Cecilia sighed gravely, unsure about what to tell the guard. She knew better than to say it was nothing, because even they realized Elmina’s pain was far out of the ordinary.

"Bob, Travis," Elmina spoke aloud, still holding her head, "come here."

The two novices came around to face Elmina.

The red-haired warrior winced from the pain in her head, but quickly fought it off. "You might want to turn back," she said to them. "I fear the closer we get to Alhazad, the worse these pains shall become. I’m afraid I might do something to you two that I’ll regret later on, and I don’t want that. So please, return to your post."

"Why would you want to hurt us," Travis asked. "We’re not your enemies." He then remembered the coldness Elmina had shown him earlier, and began questioning his last statement. "Are we?"

"Yes, Commander," Bob interjected, "we can’t leave you in such a decrepit state. We want to assist our leader any way we can."

The Sword Princess gave them a pained smile. "I truly appreciate your generosity, but you’re not ready. Alhazad is far too powerful for you rookies. He’ll crush you beneath his merciless heel. You’re both far too young to throw your lives away in such a hopeless battle." Elmina lightly shook her head, as she felt the pain subsiding. "Again, return to your post. That’s an order."

"Yes, ma’am," Bob replied. He and Travis stood at attention, and tapped the butts of their spears on the ground. When they did, they felt their weapons sticking into a strange indentation.

"What the," Travis stated, looking down to see a trail of long, thin grooves in the ground, which definitely didn’t look natural.

Bob looked down, and saw another trail of the same grooves, leading from the entrance they’d passed through, and heading down the passageway. "What on Filgaia made these tracks?"

Elmina looked at the strange tracks, which triggered a memory from her demonic past. "Oh," she groaned, "my head."

"Elmina!" Cecilia said in alarm, coming to her side.

"I… I’ve seen these tracks before," the swordswoman continued. "It was during the war."

Cecilia nodded fearfully. " I’ve seen them, too. It was in Court Seim. Oh, my Guardians, this IS Alhazad’s doing. These tracks belong to one of his creations."

The Sword Princess nodded. "Yes, Agaless, he called it." She saw the tracks stretching down the passageway, and gasped when she realized they led towards the exit. "Oh no, it’s headed for Arctica!"

"After it!" Cecilia said sharply.

The group raced down the corridor, desperately trying to catch the monster that made the tracks they saw on the ground. Bob and Travis had no idea what Elmina and Cecilia were talking about, but they followed nonetheless. They were going to help their commander.

Cecilia stopped at the end of the winding tunnel, and motioned for the others.

"What is it," Bob asked from behind the sorceress.

"It’s in there," Cecilia replied, pointing towards the opening. "I can feel its dark energy." She reached into her pouch, and pulled out a pair of Magic Carrots, giving one to Elmina. "Here," she continued. "We’ll need to be at full strength for this battle."

"Good thinking," the redhead spoke, biting into her carrot. She felt the energy of the carrot releasing within her body, replenishing some of her magic power, necessary for performing the Fast Draw.

Cecilia ate her own carrot, and felt her own power being restored. "We’re going in."

The party passed through the open space, and entered a small chamber, with a large cavity at the far side. Sunlight streamed through the opening, indicating that it was the end of the pass. The tracks came to an end in the chamber, and standing in the center of the cave was a light brown dog, wagging its tail and looking at the group.

"What the hecht," Travis asked, "where’d that dog come from? Where’s the monster?"

"That’s no dog," Cecilia said darkly. "Everyone, draw your weapons. I’ll make him reveal his true form. Once you see it, attack."

"Understood," Bob commented.

"Roger," Travis added.

Elmina merely nodded, and drew her sword. The novice guards brought their spears into position, bracing themselves for battle.

Suddenly, a small pair came into the pass from the outside. One didn’t look more than two, with a head of red hair, and beaming, innocent green eyes. The other looked like a human child, except for the fact that she had long furry ears sticking out from her long blonde hair.

The toddler saw Elmina and his face immediately brightened. "Mommy!" he cried out joyfully. "You’re home!"

"Alician," the Sword Princess asked, "what are you doing here?"

The boy then noticed the canine in the chamber. "Ooh, pretty dog," he said, approaching the beast.

"No!" Cecilia called out. "Don’t pet him!"

Alician innocently came beside the dog and stroked its fur. Once he did, the creature glowed pink and began to change. All of the dog’s fur instantly disappeared. His front legs lengthened and thickened, the paws changing into deadly claws. His hind legs seemed to recede into his body, and changed into large metallic treads, more common with some sort of futuristic vehicle than any life form known on Filgaia. Its torso grew much larger, losing its canine appearance entirely. The tail grew much thicker and longer, looking more reptilian. A dense greenish shell appeared on its back. The creature’s snout retracted, and was replaced by a long sword blade. The monster reared up, letting out a metallic, high-pitched scream of terror.

Alician wailed in fright, and ran behind his mother for protection.

"You BASTARD!!" Elmina shouted in rage. "How DARE you threaten my son! Taste my blade, freak from Hell! MAGNUM FANG!!" The incensed Sword Princess charged forth and nailed the biomechanical nightmare, as one slash became fifty, inflicting decent damage to the creature. "No one harms my children!" the swordswoman shouted. "Not you, not Alhazad, NOT ANYBODY!"

The monster growled in rage, strange green ooze seeping from the wounds Elmina had inflicted upon it.

"You disgusting beast!" Cecilia declared in her anger, furious at the monster for trying to hurt young Alician. "You’ll get no mercy for this outrage! PLASMA!!" The sorceress sent a huge lightning down, which sliced up the ground as it neared the foul monster. However, the bolt seemed to dissipate upon contact with the demon.

"What," an incredulous Cecilia asked, unable to believe that her attack was completely ineffective.

The monster seemed to laugh at the blonde mage. "ROTTEN BREATH!!" it shouted. The beast reared up and emitted a rancid blast of foul energy, which hit Cecilia dead on. The Princess was somewhat wounded, though nothing serious.

"I don’t understand," she said. "Agaless is supposed to be weak against lightning."

"Looks like the rules have changed," Elmina replied, also shocked that her friend’s spell didn’t even faze the beast.

"That really sucks," Travis remarked. He jumped in and stabbed into the beast’s tough hide, but the damage was rather minimal. He quickly retreated to safety. "I’ve done more damage to the mountain than that," he said in disbelief.

"This doesn’t look very encouraging," Bob added. He also attacked with his spear, but he didn’t inflict any more bodily harm than Travis. He rejoined the rest of the group. "There must be a way to weaken its defenses," he said aloud.

"I’ll try," Cecilia replied, and concentrated her power. "ARMOR DOWN!!" A ring of blue spheres rose up around the monster, but they seemed to vanish halfway up. "No way!" she exclaimed.

"Forget about magic!" Elmina snapped impatiently. "Just clobber it!"

"Geez, sorry," a somewhat embarrassed Innocent One replied.

Elmina shook her head, and glared at the vile monstrosity, her sword glowing a bright bluish hue. "GUILTY BLADE!!" She threw her sword into the air, and it streaked down towards the monster, creating a huge explosion in its wake. Agaless was fairly wounded, but nowhere close to being defeated.

"This could take a while," Cecilia said to everyone.

"I noticed," the Sword Princess replied. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you."

"It’s okay, just keep your focus on the battle."

"Don’t worry, I will."

The monster rolled forward on its treads, reared up with its sword nose and slashed down Elmina’s torso, moderately wounding the momentarily distracted warrior.

"OWW!" the redhead screamed, feeling the sword slicing through her flesh. "You jerk!" she retorted. She leaped forward and slashed the monster hard across the face, making a sizeable gash in its cheek.

"Are you alright, Commander," Bob called out.

Elmina looked down at herself. There was a nasty wound on her front, and her tunic had been torn in the same place, revealing more pale skin than she’d preferred. "I’ll be fine," she said without turning aside.

"Man," Travis said to himself, becoming a tad discouraged. He jumped in and pierced the monster with his spear again, but with the same results.

"Oh Guardians," Bob uttered. He also stabbed Agaless, but only inflicted minimal damage to the living horror.

"We need more power," Cecilia thought. "This is not the same monster we fought in Court Seim."

Alician hid behind the others, terrified like never before. It was the first time he’d seen a real life and death battle, and it truly frightened him. Mariel was slowly making her way around the edge of the chamber, trying to get away from the monster without being noticed.

"SLASH RAVE!!" Elmina shouted. She leaped forward, slashed the monster five times, and then jumped back. She saw Agaless was fairly wounded from the attack. "Give us a boost, Cecilia," she said to the Princess.

"Sure thing," the sorceress replied, hoping her magic would at least still affect the group. "HYPER PLUS!!" Beams of red light shot up around each party member, as spheres with the letters "ATP" circled around them, doubling their strength.

"Ah, much better!" the swordswoman remarked with a satisfied smile.

"I HAVE THE POWER!!" Travis shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Why me," Bob asked, though he also felt more powerful.

"SUPERSONIC BULLET!!" Agaless shouted, as a small cannon emerged from his chest, firing a spray of bullets into the party. Cecilia and Elmina were somewhat wounded, while the novices were far more seriously injured.

"Ow," Travis uttered, "no fair, we weren’t ready."

Bob gave his partner a dirty look. "See? Every time you open your mouth, they smite us!"

"Whatever." Travis nailed the monster with his spear, making a far more impressive hit than before. "Much better," he said to himself before jumping back.

Bob shook his head, and proceeded to spear the creature for more noticeable damage.

"Now we’re getting somewhere," Elmina stated with a pleased look. "MAGNUM FANG!!" She leaped in and performed her multi-hit attack once more, massively wounding the foul monstrosity. Agaless moved towards the swordswoman and reared up with its nose, but Elmina quickly stepped aside before he struck. "Too slow," the Sword Princess shot back.

Agaless growled in rage, and looked quite vexed with how the battle was progressing.

"REMEDY!!" Cecilia shouted, casting her healing spell on the party. Everyone was back at full strength once it was finished.

"Thanks, babe," Travis said to the blonde woman.

Cecilia crinkled her nose at the youth’s somewhat demeaning compliment.

"Okay, big guy," the cocky guard said to the monster before him, "you’re mine!" He rushed in with his spear, but the beast deflected it with its sword nose. Agaless then raised its right claw aloft and slammed it down atop Travis, smashing him into the ground for incredible damage.

"Travis!" Cecilia called out.

"I am not seeing this," Elmina said to herself, a sweat drop running down the back of her head.

"The things I have to put up with," Bob grumbled, rolling his eyes. He pulled out a Potion Berry, and fed it to his fallen friend. He saw Travis’ ghastly wounds mending themselves, and the youth got to his feet again.

"How do they survive," Elmina asked herself.

Alician continued to cower in the corner, but was soon joined by the strange girl, who held the boy close to her side. "Aunt Mariel," the boy asked, "what is that thing?"

Mariel looked gravely at the cyber-organic creation threatening the group. "Some sort of monster," she replied. "Don’t worry, your mother and the others can handle it."

"I hope so," Alician said timidly. "I’m scared."

The Elw girl shushed the boy. "Have faith, young Alician."

"METEOR DIVE!!" Elmina shouted, leaping high into the air and coming down with a fiery slash, inflicting incredible damage to the evil Agaless.

"Great hit, Elmina!" Cecilia said to her friend. She then turned to her old foe from Court Seim. "Alright, monster, take this!" She leaped forward and smashed the monster over the head with her staff, decently wounding the beast.

"Yo, butt ugly!" Travis called out, taunting the monster.

The unnatural creature rolled forward and reared up with its sword nose. Travis swiftly moved aside as it struck, and plunged his spear deep into Agaless’ left eye, causing the monster to shriek in pain. The sound of breaking glass was heard as the spear pierced the creature’s eye. Travis yanked his weapon out, as the monster moved back.

"Much better," Bob said, complimenting his partner, "he’s blind to our side now."

"Yeah," a less than humble Travis replied, "ain’t I great?"

The less outspoken youth groaned to himself, and then leaped forth and struck the biomechanical monstrosity with his spear, moderately wounding the vile creature.

Agaless reared up on its treads, and let out a menacing roar.

"Oh shoot," Travis uttered, "I think we just made him mad."

"Then we’d better end this battle promptly," Elmina retorted, charging up her sword. "MAGNUM FANG!!" She slashed hard across the beast’s torso, and was followed by fifty more slashes, cutting through the monstrous creation for massive damage.

The former dog turned in Cecilia’s direction. "PROTON BEAM!!" it shouted. The monster opened its maw, and emitted a huge red laser beam at the mage, leaving her incredibly weak.

"CECILIA!!" Elmina screamed, watching her friend being blasted almost to death.

The blonde mage groaned weakly, struggling to remain conscious after the devastating attack. "HI-HEAL!!" she managed to call out. A double-layered ring of magic sparkles appeared over her head. They descended upon her wounded form, restoring her to full health. However, she was very slow to rise to her feet, still feeling the effects of the assault.

"Oh man," an aghast Travis remarked, "you mean it was just playing with us?"

"Looks that way," Bob responded, fearful of the monster’s power.

Travis moved in and stabbed his spear into Agaless’ new blind side. Bob quickly leaped in and did the same.

"How did I know this was too easy," Elmina said under her breath. She saw Agaless was badly damaged, but still not defeated, and was just starting to use its full power. She shook her discouragement away, and focused on her next attack. "GUILTY BLADE!!" She threw her sword into the air, and it spun around and launched itself at the monster, creating a huge azure explosion.

The inhuman beast was severely damaged, but still functional. "QUICK!!" A ring of blue beams shot up from the ground, spinning around Agaless, as he was encircled by small spheres with the letters "RES" inside them.

"Oh great," Cecilia uttered, "just what we didn’t need." She leaped in and bashed the monster over the head with her staff, inflicting decent damage.

Suddenly, Elmina screamed in pain once more, as the darkness within grew stronger in relation to the increased sense of danger. "My head!" she cried out, holding her temples. "Stop it. Stop it!"

The monster took his cue, and lashed out with his left arm, knocking Travis and Bob into the wall and temporarily out of action.

"Oh no!" Cecilia exclaimed.

"MOMMY!!" Alician cried out, watching his mother suffer for reasons he couldn’t understand.

Agaless turned back to Elmina, laughing at the stricken swordswoman. "It is useless to resist," it actually spoke in a screeching, metallic voice. "Submit to the Master once more, Lady Harken."

Cecilia gasped in horror, unaware that the monster was capable of coherent speech. What the monster said also unnerved her.

The Sword Princess’ head shot up, as she glared viciously at the mutated creature. "NEVER!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "I’ll never submit to that backstabbing sleazebag again! NEVER AGAIN!!" She brought her sword back into a thrusting position, and her green eyes glowed once again. "LASER SILHOUETTE!!" Her sword glowing red, Elmina leaped forward and plunged her sword right between the monster’s eyes. Agaless shrieked in pain as the sword pierced through his metallic brain, sending bolts of electricity surging through his body. His whole body shook, as he began to overload from the fatal blow Elmina had dealt him. The redhead pulled out her sword, and back flipped out of harm’s way, watching as Agaless collapsed onto the ground and exploded in a huge burst of evil and electrical energy.

Cecilia was near stunned senseless by what she’d witnessed. "Oh my Guardians," she thought, "that was one of Harken’s attacks! It… it can’t be." Slowly she began to approach the swordswoman, fearing that she might’ve failed in her quest to stop Harken’s return. "E… Elmina," she asked fearfully.

The warrior made no response. She continued to stare the spot where Agaless once stood, a fierce gaze in her usually composed green eyes. Her heavy breathing indicated immense anger within her, as she continued to hold her sword in her hand. "CURSE YOU, ALHAZAD!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "HOW DARE YOU RETURN TO TORMENT ME! I’M GONNA SEND YOUR MAGGOT-RIDDEN SOUL BACK TO THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF HELL, WHERE IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS! DO YOU HEAR ME, ALHAZAD?! I’M COMING FOR YOU! ALHAZAD!!!!" She stormed out of the pass, leaving Cecilia and the others to their fate.

"Oh no," Cecilia said in horror, "no! Elmina, stop!"

The humanoid demon lord dug around in Erica’s backpack.. She had left it inside by the fire place when they returned the night before. Thinking of a way to destroy the old robe, he needed to remove all evidence that would point to his idenity... Erica was asleep, and she would be asleep for quite some time. Judging by the lack of movement upstairs. He dug deeper into the pack and found random treasures of hers. Then her found the robe, and pulled it out. He felt something in one of the pockets inside the robe… jewels. His jewels. Ones that were on his mask… He gasped, seeing them his hands once again. They were from his hold world, Hyades.. He took them and shoved them into his own pockets of his long coat. They had magical properties, they were the last piece of home he had left... He looked down at the robe one last time. Before sighing deeply, and glancing at the fire place.. With a regretful huff, she shook his head; shoving the robe back into her pack.

Perhaps he would leave it behind, with her. That way she could at least remember these happier times, these past few days. He had no idea how the day was going to end. His mind ran in circles; what could he do.. Placing it back on the sofa, by the fire place…

He stood alone in the living room, his hands clasped behind his back. He would continue to wait for Erica to awaken, and then they’d enter the basement and unseal whatever secrets Erica’s parents were hiding from her. He was pretty sure it had something to do with Elmina’s dark days as Lady Harken, but to the best of his knowledge, there was no physical evidence that still existed, nothing that could’ve linked Elmina to the metallic menace she had become during the war. And yet, he also knew that were it not the case, there would’ve been no need to keep Erica away from the basement. They could’ve just avoided the subject whenever it came up. The whole matter intrigued the former Alhazad, and he took a moment to rub his chin in a thoughtful manner.

At that moment, there was a noiseless scream. Aubrey couldn’t hear it with his ears, but he heard it in the depths of his dark soul. It was a scream of anger, a scream of rage, a scream of a woman calling out Alhazad’s name, a woman the mad scientist had known for over a decade.

"Elmina," the strange man began, his red eyes widening in recognition. "I hear you, my student. I feel your rage from afar." He began to pace through the living room, motivated by the sound of the Sword Princess’ voice. "You are close, much closer than I expected, closer than I desire. And yet, the allure of your presence still enthralls me. It makes me quite anxious, yet also quite excited. How long has it been since we last met, Elmina. How long has it been since I have gazed upon the resolve and the divine beauty of your exquisitely formed countenance." His breathing quickened, as his anticipation of meeting Elmina again grew within his soul. "You are the one person who could possibly expose me, and yet you are the one person…"

Aubrey stopped in mid-sentence. He realized that he still had feelings for Elmina, even after losing her years ago. He knew she didn’t feel the same for him, and it really bothered him. He was still bitter that she chose Jack, who Alhazad had always seemed as an inferior, over him. However, it also brought up another question: how did he truly feel about Erica? He wondered if he was really sincere about his feelings for her, especially in light of the fact that his love for Elmina still existed.

There was a softness in her, how she fawned over him. She treated him far different and better than any woman or love itreast he had ever known. It healed parts of him. And while his feelings still lingered for Elmina, … Erica was his. She happily wore the label of “ his partner”. The only thing that had changed about him was his appearance; he was himself. Dark, worldly, well spoken.. He didn’t hide a single aspect about his personality and who he was besides out right saying who he really was. He knew she was smart enough to know.. That.. Even with out Elmina returning. There was a way Erica would piece it together. He smiled weakly; knowing that had this.. Played out in a unrealistic way.. Where he slowly uncovered himself to her. How he would word it, how he would find the right collection of words to see that warm smile, that gentle touch…

He remembered when Erica came to him at the stream. She offered to assist him out of the kindness of her own heart, not because anyone had commanded her. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had shown any kindness to him, so he perceived that is was only natural he’d feel gratitude towards her. Aubrey spent the past couple of days with her, sharing her joys and sorrows. He defended her against the harassment of the local men that had harassed her since childhood. It brought back memories of his childhood, when he was ruthlessly harassed because of his malformed body. The insults he received were even worse than the ones Erica had heard all her life, and Alhazad was demon royalty. The former scientist struggled hard to fight back the painful memories of his past, shoving them back into the dark recesses of his mind.

The Demon Lord brought his thoughts back to Erica. He had observed over the past few days that the blonde woman seemed very sensitive and vulnerable to criticism, even if unfounded. He knew that Elmina was also heavily criticized in her youth, but she never let it stop her. She persevered in spite of the criticism and grew stronger from it, a trait Alhazad found lacking in Erica. He saw a great difference in mental toughness between the two women. He remembered the time when Erica’s guilt over the collapse of the castle caused so much self-loathing, it brought the young Van Burace woman to her knees in shame. The reincarnated demon knew Elmina never whined about anything, she’d always been above that.

Yet, he recalled Erica’s episode… her withdrawal, how she didn’t seem that she was even aware that she was explaining the trauma that happened to her. That she was disassociating as she explained the story. Once she told him, she never mentioned it again. As if another part of her remembered it.. And another part of her carried on in the current world. Things triggered it; Various identity disorders were something he studied in humans.. But she was never once given the tools to recover from her mental illness.. And why hadn’t her parents explored it more; why didn’t they help her over come it when she was younger? Instead of letting it manifest and fester? Jack absolutely needed a therapist, Aubrey chuckled to himself. Even before he invaded Arctica.

Jack’s lack luster care of her when she was a child, dragging her along during their many quests during the war. There were so many places in Filgaia they could have hidden her. Not that it would have stopped Alhazad from finding her; if he wanted to. But he would have had no knowledge of her existence if Jack had not brought her along. Regardless if she argued against it. Telling her that she couldn’t do something was often met with a fire- a spark, that strength that that she did inherit from her mother.

He did a sly smile; perhaps her fire is why she was bullied endlessly, that she would settle for nothing less. While she claimed no one ever asked her out before; she likely never saw anyone who fit the bill prior to meeting him... That or maybe would-be people her age were intimated by her; she was strong, independent, free spiritied.. That much he could tell. His mind wandered back and forth. Wishing he could find some kind of answer. WHY him? Most of all. But all of this would undoubtedly come to a screeching halt as soon as Elmina arrived back in town.

Recalling their brief encounters over the years; he never imagined the one who had shown him such kindness was Erica. Or the one who’d steal away his heart. Mending it together, after his horrid years alone, and the rejection he felt when it came to Elmina..

However everything that had happened in her life was because of him, and he worried about his own lies; or lack of telling the whole truth. A sad sigh escaped him as he realized he hadn’t been honest with her about anything. He had never revealed his true self, or told her why he came to Arctica. And he knew Elmina would’ve revealed all once she saw him again. He wondered before if Erica would’ve felt the same about him if she knew his true identity. Privately, he doubted it, seeing how much her parents had influenced her during her lifetime, and since he was the reason she lost her mother. At first, he planned to quietly disappear to avoid confronting Elmina and risk being exposed. However, he soon discerned that such an act was totally unbecoming of him, and decided to remain. "Destiny is coming," he spoke, "and I shall not flee in its face. I shall face my enemies with boldness and determination. Erica, our time together was short, but it was some of the happiest times of my dark, lonely existence. I fear we shall soon become enemies, and even though I dread the thought of raising my hand against you, I might not have a choice in the matter." He let out a mournful sigh. "I never wanted to hurt you, Erica. You have been kinder to me than anyone I’ve ever known. It is a pity that such kindness shall soon end. But I shall take no pleasure in your death, should that be the outcome. This may very well be our last day together. It was… fun, while it lasted. And yet, all good things come to an end… like Arctica… like Filgaia. The end is coming, my friends. I truly hope you are all prepared for it."

Chapter Text

Rudy made his way towards the town square, a troubled look on his face. He’d tried to notify Erica about the meeting that morning, but the younger Van Burace was unresponsive, seemingly indifferent to the coming event. Aubrey, the entire time, sat calmly in the livingroom, quiet, calm, unspeaking. He hestatied on calling it creepy. But, he was apparently kind to Erica- so he dismissed the mans strange behavior. But, It was almost like Erica didn’t care about what happened to the castle. It worried the young ARMs meister, and he knew Jack and Elmina would’ve been even more worried, once they heard about the news.

"Hey, Rudy!" a manly voice called out.

Rudy turned to his right to see Jack hobbling in his direction, supporting himself on a single crutch, his left leg still held in place by a pair of wooden splints.

The Holmcross quickly walked over to Jack and faced him squarely. "Jack," he began, "what are you doing out here?"

"Hey, the big announcement’s today, right," the old hero replied, apparently oblivious to his own injured state. "I ain’t gonna miss it."

Rudy gave his old friend a suspicious look. "You didn’t sneak out of the hospital, did you?"

"Well," Jack began sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Jack, Doctor Seifer’s gonna flip when she finds you."

Hanpan poked his head out of Jack’s pocket. "I tried telling him that, Rudy," he quipped, "but he wouldn’t listen. I tell ya, some things never change."

"Hey, no problem," Jack replied, "I checked myself out."

"With or without her approval," Rudy asked with a raised eyebrow.

The swordsman sighed heavily. "Geez, you’re no fun. Look, it’ll be okay. We’ll just head to the meeting, and then head back. She won’t even know I’m gone."

"Riiiiight," a wholly unconvinced Rudy retorted.

"Can we get going now," Jack asked impatiently, a bit embarrassed by his friend’s remarks. He could tell that Rudy wasn’t buying anything he said, and he grimaced at the realization, along with the pain in his leg. He looked around, and saw Rudy was alone. "Hey, where’s Erica? You did tell her, right?"

It was Rudy’s turn to sigh. "Yeah, I told her when I got home last night."

"So where is she?"

Rudy looked to the ground. "She wouldn’t come."

"WHAT?!" Jack exclaimed. "What’s wrong with that girl? This is her future we’re talking about! Possibly the future of Arctica itself! Why wouldn’t she come?"

Rudy looked to the side. "I don’t know," he replied. "She refused to get up, no matter how many times I knocked."

"Why didn’t you just go in?"

"It was locked." Rudy said plainly. "And I thought it would inappropriate to just barge into a woman’s room uninvited."

"You’re too nice," Hanpan remarked. "You need to get tough with her more often, Rudy. Just think of her as Jack in a dress."

"Hey!" Jack protested.

"What? Am I wrong? She acts so much like you, it’s not funny. I know Elmina would’ve gotten a pitcher of cold water to wake her up. Heh, does wonders for you."

"Hanpan," Jack muttered, embarrassed by the Wind Mouse’s comments.

"Anyway," Rudy interjected, "we need to get to the town square. We’ll be late if we dilly dally any longer."

"What about Erica," Jack asked.

"There’s no time to go back, especially with your bad leg, Jack. We’ll have to tell her the news when we get home."

The leader of the Fenril Knights sighed to himself. "I guess you’re right." He shook his head. "Erica, what are you doing? Don’t you care about Arctica? Its our home, for
crying out loud."

"Easy there, Jack," Hanpan said to his partner. "We’ll find that out after the meeting."

"Okay."

The small band soon arrived at the town square. There were dozens of people already gathered, possibly hundreds. It seemed like the entire populace of Arctica had come for the big announcement, and it was hardly a surprise, for the coming announcement would determine the future of all Arctica. In the middle of the square was a polished oak podium, with the crest of Arctica emblazoned upon the front, signifying it as the place of the forthcoming speech from the Mayor.

"Quite a turnout," Jack noted, looking at all the people gathered by the square.

"This is going to affect everyone," Rudy added.

"I knew I’d find you here," a stern female voice spoke from nearby.

Jack and Rudy turned to see the doctor who’d treated them at the hospital, standing with her arms crossed and a rather perturbed look on her face.

"Hey," Jack began pleasantly, "Dr. Seifer. What brings you here today?"

The doctor looked less than soothed by the swordsman’s greeting. "You are in no condition to be moving about, Mr. Van Burace. You are in serious danger of aggravating that leg. I strongly suggest you return to the hospital, post haste."

"Geez, can’t this wait, Doc? I mean, Walker’s gonna give us the lowdown on the castle in a few minutes. I ain’t gonna miss it for the world."

Doctor Seifer groaned to herself. "How does Elmina stand you," she asked.

"Hey, being the great guy that I am, what’s not to like," Jack asked with a cocky smirk, buffing his lapel with his free hand.

"You want a list," Hanpan quipped.

"Hmph," a pompous voice stated, "there’s hardly anything about you TO like, Van Burace."

Everyone turned to see a middle-aged man standing a few feet from them. He wore a heavy overcoat, with furred lapels. Polished leather dress shoes adorned his feet, just above the cuffs of his gaudy purple trousers. The man wore a rich wool scarf around his thin neck. His deeply lined face had a superior expression, as he peered at everyone down his nose. He had a thin moustache, curled at the ends, as well as an imperial beard. His graying blonde hair was parted at the middle, the ends curling as well.

Jack recognized the man at first sight, a sneer coming to his face. "I shoulda known," he remarked. "Sydney Thornwood. Decide to crawl out from under your rock today?"

"I beg your pardon," the wealthy man retorted indignantly, "I happen to live in one of the finest estates in all of Arctica, more than I can say for that shoddy abode you call a house. And you’re supposed to be the leader of the Fenril Knights. Hmph, is it any wonder why they’ve lost their luster."

"Hey man," Jack warned, raising his index finger, "you shut your hole about the Fenril Knights. We’re gonna be as great a unit as the one Captain Coldbird led, just you wait and see."

"Yes," an unimpressed Thornwood remarked, "I just hope they last longer than your captain’s old team. All it took was just one man to slaughter the lot of them. Hardly what I’d call invulnerable."

"Why, you!" Jack snapped, livid at Thornwood speaking of his comrades’ deaths with such great disdain.

"Stop it, Jack!" Rudy spoke firmly, grabbing his friend’s arm. "He’s not worth it."

"I second the motion," Dr. Seifer added. She walked in between the two men, who continued to glare at each other. "Can’t you two grown men postpone this rivalry for just a few moments," she asked. "There’s much more at stake than this stupid feud of yours."

Jack continued to gaze coldly at Thornwood. "That was no man," he began in a hostile voice. "He was the worst kind of monster, even worse than you, as hard as that is to believe. Be thankful he’s not around anymore, Thornwood, and I take full credit for that."

"Do as you like," the older man flatly responded, "but enough about that. Where is that hoodlum you took in a few days ago?"

"Hoodlum? You mean Aubrey? What about him?"

Thornwood dipped his chin, leveling a deadly gaze at Jack. "He killed my little girl the other day," he said in a dangerously quiet voice. "Were you privy about this, Van Burace?"

"Huh," the swordsman asked in confusion, "what are you talking about, Thornwood. Are you making this up? That pretty-boy a murderer? What are you talking about. Heh, it’s just like you to make up such tall tales."

"He’s not making it up," a whiny voice spoke from behind Thornwood. The familiar form of Joe walked in front of Jack, his face badly bruised from the beating he took the other day. "That guy is a monster! He killed Lilly with his evil power! Trashed the castle, too!" He quickly covered his mouth, realizing what he’d just said.

"What were you doing in the castle," Jack asked through clenched teeth, leaning forward to face Joe.

"Um… uh…. Well… that is," Joe stammered, quivering in the face of Jack’s barely restrained fury.

"You know," the knight continued, "I’m really starting to get sick of your face. I’m glad Erica pounded it in. Seems you won’t learn any other way. And you still haven’t answered my question."

"Um," Joe began hesitantly, "we were… uh… trying to stop him! Yeah, we knew that guy was trouble! We tried to tell Erica, but she wouldn’t listen. So we followed him to the castle to stop his evil plans, but he was too powerful… too evil." Joe cringed, his voice breaking at the memory of what happened in the bunker.

Jack reached out with his free hand, and grabbed Joe by the collar, causing the younger man to gasp in fright. "Nice try, kid," the swordsman said sarcastically, "but since when have you ever been concerned about Erica’s well-being?"

Joe spluttered for several seconds, fearful because the warrior hadn’t fallen for his hastily made up story.

"Now," Jack began menacingly, "what were you really doing in the castle, and you’d better not lie this time, boy, or you’re gonna get hurt!"

Thornwood immediately grabbed the swordsman’s arm. "Unhand him, you beast!" he demanded. "How dare you threaten my only son! I’ll have you stripped of your title for this!"

Before Jack or anyone else could respond, there was a commotion behind them. They looked to see people moving aside, speaking in nervous tones. At the end of the street was a woman approaching the square, her brown cloak flowing behind her. In her right hand was a gleaming sword. The woman’s long red hair blew in the cold breeze.

"Elmina," Rudy asked, surprised to see the swordswoman returning to Arctica after such a short time.

"Mrs. Van Burace," Doctor Seifer asked, somewhat nervous at Elmina’s unexpected return.

"Could it be," Sydney Thornwood asked, taken aback by the swordswoman, but retaining his composure, nonetheless.

"Oh Guardians," Joe uttered in fright, "she looks scary today."

Jack looked to the approaching Elmina, and saw just what frightened Joe. Her green tunic was torn in the front, indicating she’d been in some sort of altercation. Also, there was something drastically different about Elmina’s eyes. They were not the eyes of a noble warrior, but the eyes of a killer, the eyes of Lady Harken. Jack tried to control himself. He didn’t want to believe that his beloved wife had succumbed to darkness once more, but he couldn’t deny the vicious look in her eyes. It was a look he’d seen from the times he and the other Dream Chasers had encountered Harken during the war. He noted that the crowd shied away from Elmina as she approached. The cold hostility she was exhibiting was wholly unlike the Elmina everyone in Arctica knew.

Elmina stopped in front of Jack, her sword in her hand and her cold, menacing eyes gazing upon him. She stood there for many moments, the crowd anxiously awaiting her next move.

"E… E… Elmina," Jack asked, praying that she hadn’t taken on her dark persona again.

The redhead’s icy gaze gave way to a look of sadness. She lunged forward and wrapped her slender arms around Jack, crying into his chest. "It was horrible," she said in between sobs. "The mountains… Alhazad…"

"Huh? Wh… wh… what are you talking about? What’s all this about Alhazad?"

“He’s back he’s manipulated Erica’s tender lonely heart- he’s.. He- he-”

“ Nonsense, Elmina. Erica has been hanging with this young pretty boy the past few days that freakshow hasn’t-

"--Jack," Hanpan spoke up, "the Mayor’s about to speak."

Jack turned his attention towards the podium, as did everyone else in the square. The chattering amongst the crowd quickly died down to nothing, as everyone focused on the heart of the square. An elderly man slowly came up to the podium. He wore a heavy fur coat, appropriate for such a volatile climate. He had a full head of steely gray hair, with a trim beard and mustache on his wrinkled face. The man was trying to keep his expression under control, though his hands visibly twitched. It was like he’d never made a public speech, or that the news was so grave, it pained him to announce it to the people of Arctica.

The old man cleared his throat, as he prepared to speak to the crowd gathered before him. "Good citizens of Arctica," he called out to the multitudes, "we are confronted by a terrifying crisis. Yesterday, around noontime, the old castle of Arctica Kingdom, which has stood tall for over a thousand years, unexpectedly collapsed, killing six people and wounding two dozen more."

"What," Elmina exclaimed silently.

"My Guardians," a soft female voice uttered in horror, "no."

Jack and Rudy turned to see their old friend, Cecilia Lynne Adlehyde, standing right behind them, an mortified look on her face.

Cecilia came up closer to them, a concerned look on her face. "Elmina," she began in a shaky voice, "a… a… are you alright?"

Elmina turned to face Jack, a somewhat guilty look on her face. "Sorry," she began. "Is Alician alright?"

"Yes, he and the others are fine. Those two novices are escorting him and Mariel through the pass. They should be safe from there."

"That’s a big relief," the redhead said, letting out a sad sigh. "Cecilia, I-"

"How I wish I had the words to comfort those who lost loved ones in that catastrophe," the Mayor continued, interrupting Elmina without realizing it. "But alas, they elude me. However, we cannot allow this crisis to frighten us into submission." The elderly man was shaking more visibly at that point. "And yet, I cannot allow the invitation of further disaster within out fair land. As Mayor of Arctica, it is my duty to announce that the castle restoration project is hereby cancelled."

"WHAT?!" Jack suddenly exploded, his voice shouting over the crowd. "You can’t do this, Walker! We’ve worked for months trying to fix that place up, and now you’re canning the whole thing?! You can’t do this to us, Walker!"

Mayor Walker coughed nervously from the response of the crowd, who were stunned by the announcement. "This crisis is clearly a sign," he began, "a sign to relinquish the past, and move on towards the future. Attempting to bring back the glory of old has succeeded only in reviving the demons of old. I cannot allow the endangerment of any more innocent lives for the vain pursuit of a lost dream. We must accept the fact that the Arctica of the past is gone, and move forth to build a new Arctica."

The crowd’s reactions were mixed. Some supported the decision, others opposed it, and quite a few more were concerned about other things, such as an alleged demon that was supposedly the source of their problems.

"This is bullshit!" Elmina shouted over the crowd. "Without the castle, this isn’t even Arctica anymore! You’re sentencing this kingdom to death, Walker! Just because you don’t have the guts to rebuild Arctica, don’t you DARE tell us we can’t!" she loudly protested, pointing her sword at the old man on the podium.

The mayor visibly jumped back, even though Elmina wasn’t nearly within striking distance of him. He looked to the sheriff, who standing beside him at that point. "Sh... sh… sheriff," he began in a shaking voice, "s… stop that woman. She’d mad."

"I can see that," the lawman replied. "He shoulda known the Van Buraces would flip out over that," he said under his breath.

"Sheriff!" Mayor Walker said in a frightened voice.

"Alright, Mayor," the sheriff replied, a bit annoyed by his superior’s pleading, "I’m on it." He motioned behind him, and his somewhat timid deputy came to his side. The two law enforcers walked to the edge of the podium, right in front of Elmina. "That’s enough, Mrs. Van Burace," the sheriff called out to the swordswoman. "Put your weapon away now!"

"But he’s destroying everything we’ve worked so hard to rebuild!" the Sword Princess protested. "I can’t stand by… I WON’T stand by, and let him kill the dreams of everyone in this kingdom!"

"Hey, if ya got sumthin’ to say, be my guest, but WITHOUT your sword." The sheriff slowly reached back for his ARM, in case Elmina acted in a hostile manner. He’d never seen her so irate, so he wasn’t sure how she’d react.

Elmina let out a frustrated sigh, realizing she hadn’t resheathed her sword, and looked like a violent woman at that point. With a dejected grimace, she slid her sword back into its sheath, and rested her arms by her sides.

"Thank you, ma’am," the lawman replied, taking his hand away from his ARM and tipping his hat.

The redhead didn’t respond.

Walker came back to the podium, a bit relieved that Elmina no longer seemed aggressive. "Please, my fellow citizens!" he called out to the crowd. "This is not the time to panic! We are doing everything in our power to find the people responsible for this chaos and bringing them to justice! If anyone has any information that can lead to the apprehension of these vile perpetrators, please speak to Sheriff Donaldson at once. That is all." The Mayor left the podium, and went behind the square.

Many of the crowd walked over towards the sheriff, demanding action against the demon that they blamed for their current hardships. The beleaguered lawman was having little success in giving any definitive answers.

"That spineless worm," Jack stated in anger. "I can’t believe he’s caved in like this."

"Believe it, Jack," Doctor Seifer replied. "Nelson Walker has never been a brave man. A crisis like this would frighten him into submission."

"Geez," Hanpan piped in, "I’m amazed he got elected."

"That makes two of us," Elmina said to the Wind Mouse. "I certainly didn’t vote for him."

"This is horrible," Cecilia remarked. "I was looking forward to the full restoration of Arctica, and now it’s not going to happen?" She clenched her small fists in anger, livid at the atrocities she believed were committed by Alhazad.

At that moment, Sheriff Donaldson got away from the crowd, came off the podium and walked over to the Van Buraces. "Excuse me," he began, "could you folks come over to the station for a moment?"

"What do you want, Donaldson," Jack said bitterly.

"We need to talk, Mr. Van Burace," the sheriff replied with a firm look, not amused by Jack’s impolite comments.

"There’s nothing to talk about," the Fenril Knight said coldly, turning his back to the lawman. "Mayor Wimpo has shut down the castle. It’s like he’s killed the very heart and soul of Arctica!" he shouted, raising his hands over his head. He hobbled as he turned back to the sheriff. "What MORE do you people want!" he demanded. "BLOOD?!"

Vernon Donaldson shook his head. "No, sir, we don’t want blood, we want answers, and we really need any help we can get from you."

"Just what is this about," Jack asked.

"I’ll tell you at the station. Now, please come along. I’d rather not have to arrest you."

"I’d like to see him try," Jack said under his breath. He was promptly elbowed in the ribs on both sides. He saw Elmina, Cecilia, and Doctor Seifer giving him a displeased look. "Geez, I was kidding," he said to them.

None of the ladies looked convinced.

"You’re hopeless, Jack," Hanpan remarked.

"I second that," Cecilia added. She turned to the female doctor, looking a bit embarrassed. "Oh dear," she began, "I haven’t even introduced myself. I am Cecilia Lynn Adlehyde," she said, holding out her hand, "longtime family friend of the Van Buraces."

The doctor looked surprised. "The Cecilia Lynn Adlehyde," she asked.

The princess politely nodded her head.

"Oh my," Doctor Seifer remarked, "I never thought I’d actually meet you in person. You couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m Lana Seifer," she continued, shaking the princess’ hand, "resident doctor of all Arctica."

"She’s a real pro," Jack remarked, "unlike that quack in Adlehyde."

Cecilia made a face. "Would you believe he’s still in practice? And he still doesn’t have a license."

"Ahem," the sheriff interjected, "could we get to the station now? We can continue this there."

"Okay, Sheriff," a somewhat dejected Jack replied. He was enjoying reminiscing with Cecilia, who he hadn’t seen since his wedding.

"Lead the way," Cecilia added.

Aubrey walked though the all but empty house of the Van Burace family, his hands clasped behind his back. Mariel and Aician had left a little over an hour ago, and Rudy departed for the public announcement soon afterwards. The dark man was left to his own devices, as he waited for Erica to awaken. He knew she was planning to open the secret room under the basement, seeking for answers about her mother’s absence during the war. Aubrey wasn’t entirely sure about what his old foes had sealed under the basement, but he was sure it was something that would’ve tarnished their images in the face of the public.

As the incognito Demon Lord paced through the first floor, only one thing bothered him, and that was Elmina. He’d heard her scream of rage within his dark soul, and knew that she was closer than he desired. Alhazad knew that his old pupil was coming home, much sooner than anyone, especially himself, had anticipated. "Blast," he said absently, "if only I had a little more time, I could’ve built up a better rapport with Erica’s family. It would’ve made the revelation easier for them to accept." He shook his head. "But not now. I’ve all but run out of time. Elmina will expose me, and I shall be blamed for the mishap at the castle. None of them shall have any desire to forgive me, perhaps not even you, Erica, for I have done far worse to you than those irritating vermin who’ve hounded you for so long. My only chance at reconciling with your family shall be forever lost." He spat upon the floor. "Curse you, Justine. You should’ve realized this might happen. Your blindness shall lead to more bloodshed, hopefully yours."

Aubrey stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking at the front door. He envisioned Elmina approaching the house, her sword drawn and wearing her battle face, her hair and cloak flowing behind her in the cold winter breeze. "The time is coming," he continued. "Soon, we shall meet again. I hope you are fully prepared for this encounter, for the truth about us shall be revealed." He dipped his chin, while still keeping his dark gaze on the front door. "You shouldn’t have kept it a secret, Elmina. You and Garrett are both fools for attempting to conceal your sins from your only daughter. She has a right to know what really became of her mother. And if you won’t tell her the truth concerning your whereabouts during those long years, I will."

The sound of footsteps came from the top of the stairwell. The man in lavender looked behind him and saw Erica coming down the stairs, fully dressed and ready to face the day. Following behind her was the familiar form of Darksong, whom had annoyed the disguised demon at the bottom of the stairs to no end.

Erica stopped near the bottom of the stairs, giving Aubrey a strange look. "What were you doing," she asked with a curious smile, "talking to yourself?"

"Yes," the former Quarter Knight thought to himself, "I rather enjoy intelligent conversation."

"You’re so weird," Erica said, giving her boyfriend a light chuckle.

"I’d like to know exactly what he said a few moments ago," Darksong said within his mind. "I heard him mention Elmina." The former knight growled to himself. "I knew he was planning something. He’s already tried to kill Jack once. I can’t let him try again. Erica, that fiend is going to be the death of us all unless he’s stopped. Why can’t you see it?"

"Are you ready," Aubrey asked Erica.

The blonde girl slowly nodded her head, knowing full well that her actions would change her life forever. "Yes," she said quietly.

"Then the time has come. Open the door to the basement," he said, his voice projecting in a powerful manner, as he pointed down the hall where they’d find the entrance to the basement.

Erica couldn’t help but laugh. It sounded like her beau was commanding her rather than merely asking her to show the way. "Yes, Master," she said in a teasing voice.

"The basement," Darksong thought, his blue eyes widening in horror, "that FIEND! He’s going to ruin Elmina! I have to stop him! NOW!"

Without warning, the black wolf sped past Erica, turned the corner around the banister, and charged headlong for the man, growling in a savage manner and a bloodthirsty look in his blue eyes. The turn around the corner was all the time Aubrey needed to realize Darksong’s intents. The young man moved aside as the huge canine attempted to pounce on him. The wolf sailed several feet past Aubrey, landing upon the floor behind him.

"Darksong! Stop!" Erica shouted, running down the stairs as her pet turned around to make another assault. The blonde girl stood in front of Aubrey, trying to block the wolf’s path. However, the great beast refused to be deterred, as he nimbly sidestepped Erica and leaped hard upon its target, snarling in vicious hate.

Darksong pinned his enemy to the floor, and lunged at the former Alhazad’s throat with his fangs. The man’s hands quickly came up and latched onto the wolf’s neck, as Aubrey tried with his all might to force the beast away from his vulnerable human larynx, snarling in demonic rage and his red eyes glowing brightly.

Erica quickly came over and wrapped her arms around Darksong’s body, trying to pull him off the man. "Darksong, get off him!" she shouted. "Get off! Now!"

The black dog refused to relent, still trying to bite down on Aubrey’s throat and end his short second life. However, the strain of fighting off two people was slowly becoming more difficult to overcome for him. Darksong began weaving his body from side to side, hoping to throw Erica off him without hurting her too badly. After several attempts, Erica lost her grip and was thrown off to the side, landing firmly on the hard wood floor.

Darksong immediately lunged again at the Demon Lord, sheer hate in his blue eyes. He saw it as his last chance to stop his enemy from destroying the lives of everyone he loved, and he was planning to finish him off, there and then, or die trying. Aubrey quickly latched onto the wolf’s throat again, trying to force him away. They struggled for several seconds, each trying to overpower the other. The reincarnated demon looked beside him for a moment, and saw they were right beside the stairwell. Aubrey adjusted his grip on Darksong’s neck, and slammed the wolf’s head straight into wood siding. He continued to repeatedly smash the beast into the stairwell, not satisfied with just one attack. Darksong tried to shrug the blows off, but the continuous barrage was becoming too much to withstand, as his canine cranium wasn’t designed to withstand such punishment.

Finally, Aubrey slammed Darksong beside him, his hand still on the beast’s throat. He quickly got atop him, and raised his right hand menacingly above the dog, aimed right at his heart. "It ends, whelp," he snarled in a rasping, inhuman voice, as his hand crackled with a dark electric aura. "This time, you die PAINFULLY!!!!"

"STOP!!" a voice screamed desperately from nearby. Both Darksong and Aubrey glanced beside them to see Erica, back on her feet and shivering in horror. She never wanted to see her beau and her oldest friend fighting to the death. She’d seen too much death in her young life already.

The former Quarter Knight narrowed his red eyes at Erica, a frown of detest on his face. "Why should I," he asked coldly, his right hand still crackling with energy. "Was he going to spare me?

Erica breathed heavily, glaring at the two of them for their conduct. "I said stop," she said firmly, drawing her sword and aiming it at them. "Now!"

The crackling around Aubrey’s hand dissipated, as he relaxed his fingers and lowered his hand down to his side. He leered at Darksong one last time, hissing at him like a master vampire. The young man released the wolf’s throat, and got off his body. He slowly backed away, his cold, contemptuous eyes looking towards Erica.

Erica watched Aubrey move away from the wolf on the floor. Once he was far enough from Darksong, she walked over to the large black dog and pointed her sword at him. "Get out," her face flush with anger.

Darksong looked up at the blonde girl, a confused look in his eyes.

"I SAID GET OUT!!" Erica screamed at the top of her lungs. "NOW!!"

"Erica," Darksong thought, shying away from the raging young woman, "you don’t understand. Please, don’t open up the basement!"

"GET OUT!!!!" Erica shrieked, the black wolf rushed towards a nearby window and leaped through it, smashing through the glass and sending shards everywhere. His hurried steps resounded from outside, fading into the distance.

Erica’s rage quickly turned into grief, as her sword fell from her hands. She quickly collapsed onto her knees, sobbing fiercely into her hands. "Why," she asked in a broken voice, "why did Darksong do this? Why did he try to kill you?"

Aubrey turned to the grieving Erica. "Hard to say," he replied, slowly walking towards her, "it was almost like he knew what was sealed in the basement. Admittedly, it sounds absurd, but is there any other plausible explanation?"

Erica looked up at Aubrey, who’d stopped in front of her. She was startled by what he’d just suggested, and quickly got to her feet. "But what could be down there that they’re willing to kill to protect," she asked. She buried her face in Aubrey’s chest, still appalled by Darksong’s actions. "What could they be hiding?"

"I can’t honestly say."

Erica sighed in aggravation. "This is insane. I can’t believe that Darksong was in on this whole scam." She began to cry. "Not Darksong!"

"Erica," Aubrey said softly, holding her in a tender embrace.

"This ends now," Erica said firmly. "We’re going to put an end to this madness. Follow me."

Aubrey released Erica, and watched her go down the hall. "Somehow," he thought to himself, "I doubt it will be the end. I fear it will be only the beginning."

A few minutes later, Erica and Aubrey made their way down into the dusty basement of the house. The girl was leading the way, holding a lit oil lantern in front of her for light. The small flame illuminated the dark cellar, revealing several odds and ends that weren’t really necessary, but were too precious to discard.

"I know that trap door is around here somewhere," Erica said. "Keep looking."

Aubrey scanned the basement, his head slowly moving from side to side. He knew well enough that such secret entrances were never in plain sight. He realized the Van Buraces would’ve had to take precautions in order to conceal the trap door from anyone who managed to get into the lower level of the house.

After a few more minutes of searching, the couple was nearing the edge of basement, with no clue about the location of the trap door. Erica was becoming quite frustrated, while Aubrey continued with his search, acting more machine than man.

"Darn it!" Erica snapped, kicking at the dusty floor, "I know it’s here somewhere! Where could it be?"

It was at that moment that the strange man detected a faint magic residue within the basement. It was almost too weak to sense, but the former Alhazad picked it up. It seemed quite familiar to him, something he hadn’t sensed in many years. He turned in the direction of the weak aura, and found himself facing a large wooden trunk, placed in the middle of the basement floor. The Demon Lord folded his arms, noting that the trunk was suspiciously out of place. "Is this what he calls a seal," he asked himself.

Erica spun around when she heard Aubrey’s voice. She saw him facing the trunk, which she didn’t recall being in the middle of the floor last time she was in the basement.

Aubrey stretched his hands forth, focusing his will upon the trunk. He flipped his hands over, the palms facing towards the ceiling, and raised them upwards. The trunk slowly began to rise into the air, much to the amazement of Erica. Aubrey brought his hands towards his right side, and slowly moved them across. The trunk floated in the direction he had specified, held up by the force of his will. Finally, the recently resurrected demon stretched out his hands, the palms facing the floor, and lowered them down around his waist. The trunk slowly descended and landed with a soft thud on the floor.

"Amazing," Erica said in awe. She’d just seen her beloved move the heavy trunk with such ease. She wondered how much power he truly possessed. It made her feel special that such a powerful man had taken kind to her.

Erica looked down, and saw a wooden trap door where the trunk once rested. A thick rope extended from a small hole in the door, acting as a means to open the entrance. "Bingo!" she declared. "I knew it was down here somewhere."

"Some seal," a quite unimpressed Aubrey commented.

The blonde girl couldn’t help but laugh. She could’ve envisioned her father placing the trunk atop the trap door, and then declaring it sealed for all eternity. It definitely had his touch to it

Shaking her head, Erica reached down and grabbed the rope, pulling the trap door open. The hinges squeaked as the entrance was revealed, indicating that it was the first time the trap door had been opened in years. Erica brought her lamp over, and saw a crude ladder leading down into the darkness. It made her cringe, seeing that they’d just opened the forbidden chamber. She remembered that Aubrey warned her that once they’d revealed whatever lied within the chamber, her life would’ve never been the same. However, she was too close to the truth to turn back. She wanted answers, and she planned to find them. "Let’s do it," she said simply.

Erica climbed down the ladder, each rung creaking as she placed her foot upon it. It only took a few seconds to reach the bottom. She moved aside, and called for Aubrey to follow her. The young man slowly made his way down the ladder, joining Erica at the bottom.

They found themselves in a very cold and dark room. It was much colder than the rest of the house, and it brought a chill to Erica. It seemed to reaffirm the fact that no one had entered the forbidden chamber in years. She held up her lantern, and the dull flame brought light to the cold room.

The chamber was almost cubical in appearance, with a square floor and a reasonably high ceiling. However, it wasn’t the shape of the room that began frightening Erica, it was what the lantern’s light revealed against the back wall. Situated on a post was a large suit of red and silver armor, too large to fit a normal human. A pair of high-heeled armored boots rested on the floor in front of it. There was an old bureau beside the armor, upon which lied a pair of long, metal gauntlets. Behind the gauntlets was a nondescript human bust, with a familiar winged circlet upon its brow. On the opposite side of the armor was a long scythe with a viciously curved blade. A few strips of green cloth were tied near the top of the shaft.

Erica was finding it hard to breathe. The sight of the demon armor under the basement mortified her, as did its significance. She slowly walked over to the bureau, almost like she was being pulled towards it by the armor.

"This… this can’t be," Erica said to herself, desperately trying to deny what lied within her hands. She put the underwear back, and closed the drawer. "It can’t be!"

Aubrey slowly came up behind Erica, His eyes grew wide, recognizing the garment in an instant. He began breathing in a hollow, rasping manner, lighting up the area around him with his glowing red eyes. "My lady," he said in a voice of awe, and of a desire long denied.

Erica turned her head to face him. "Aubrey, what’s wrong with you," she asked, confused by his demeanor. "Don’t you realize what this means?"

The young man didn’t respond. He brought his hands up to around his chest level, his breathing and expression unchanged. It was almost like Aubrey was in some sort of trance.

"Oh my Guardians," Erica thought to herself, "what’s happening to him? Is that armor affecting his mind or something?"

"My sweet lady," Aubrey spoke, his eyes fixed upon the armor.

Erica elbowed him in the ribs, hard, knocking him out of his apparent trance. Aubrey gave the girl a hard look, but Erica matched him. They stared at one another for several seconds, before Aubrey relented and bowed his head. "My apologies," he said plainly.

Erica shook her head, wondering what her beau was thinking. "He does know what it means," she thought. "He’s smart enough to make the connection. But how does he know my mother? Why is he so fascinated with Lady Harken?" She turned to the bottom drawer, and opened it up. She pulled out a very long black cloak, "Harken’s cape," she said to herself. Erica put all the pieces together in her mind, and came to a horrible yet undeniably real conclusion. "I don’t believe it!" she exclaimed. "My mother IS Lady Harken!"

Erica dropped the cloak, which draped itself over the still open shelf, as her entire world crumbled into dust before her very eyes. She fell to her hands and knees, crushed by what laid before her. Anguished tears came to her eyes, as she rose to her knees and looked up towards the heavens, her torment knowing no bounds. "NO!!!!!!"

Erica fell forward, fiercely sobbing on the cold floor of the sub-basement. Rage and sadness overwhelmed her, blinding her to everything else. "That traitor," she said through her tears. "That miserable traitor! She’s the reason Arctica fell! She betrayed us, she betrayed me, AND FOR WHAT?!" she shrieked, rising to her knees again. She looked around the room, and quickly found Aubrey, who’d long since ceased staring at the armor and came to her side.

"Erica," the man said softly, kneeling down and placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Don’t say anything," Erica said sadly. "There are no words that can comfort me now. Everything’s ruined, everything I believed in… ALL BECAUSE OF HER!!" She held her head in mortal anguish, unlike anything she’d ever felt before. "Dad, why," she asked. "Why are you protecting her? She’s the reason we lost Arctica, she’s the reason all our friends died. Are you really that blind? How could you let that witch deceive you like this? Rudy, Hanpan, Darksong, have you all gone mad? What was the point of our whole journey? My Guardians, what was the point?"

Erica turned her grieving face to Aubrey, an accusing look in her teary brown eyes. "Aubrey," she began, "did you know? Did you know my mother was Lady Harken?"

The incognito demon looked warily at Erica. "Why do you ask such a question," he inquired nervously. "Do you suspect me, too?"

The blonde girl sighed bitterly. "Aubrey, I don’t know who to trust anymore. I was afraid of what might happen if I found out I couldn’t trust Mom and Dad, and now I find out I can’t even trust Darksong!" She paused for a moment, still trying to digest what she’d learned. "DARKSONG! He’s been like a true friend to me, and now even he turns on me? WHAT THE HELL HAVE WE BEEN FIGHTING FOR?!"

Erica leaned against Aubrey for support, her tears flowing with a renewed fervor. She wrapped her arms around him, desperately trying to cling to anything that was still real. Her whole life had seemed to become a grand fraud, her travels and achievements appearing worthless. Her tender heart had been shattered, with hardly a soul to help pick up the pieces. It was clearly the darkest day of her life, and little did she know that the darkest times were still yet to come.

Chapter Text

Jack and the others were gathered in the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Donaldson stood behind his desk, with his loyal yet fearful deputy right beside him. Jack sat in a chair by the desk, while Rudy, Elmina, Cecilia, and Doctor Seifer stood behind him. They heard the screams of the people of Arctica from outside the station. They called for revenge against the demon that had terrorized them, robbing them of their happiness and security. They seemed to be on the verge of rioting, and it could’ve happened at any moment.

"Ya hear them," Sheriff Donaldson asked, pointing to the crowd. "They want action, and they want it now. I need your help, Van Burace."

"Sheriff," a slightly agitated Jack began, "just what the hell is going on here?"

The lawman let out a frustrated sigh, lightly shaking his head. "Alright. Let me start at the beginning. Yesterday, around noontime, Lilly Thornwood was murdered."
"Murdered?!" Jack uttered in shock.

"Murdered," Cecilia asked, surprised by the news.

"Is that true," the doctor asked.

"Just what was Lilly doing back here," Elmina asked with a stern look. "I thought she’d left town."

"Couldn’t tell ya, ma’am," the sheriff replied with a shrug. "And the castle collapsed at the exact same time."

"You think there’s a connection," Rudy asked, realizing where the sheriff was going with the story.

"Positive, and the main suspect is that new house guest of yours."

"What," the ARMs meister asked in surprise. "Aubrey?"

"No way!" Jack spoke up. "How could one guy destroy the castle by himself? That’s nuts, man. Who told you this baloney?"

"I have three eyewitnesses to the crime," Vernon Donaldson replied. "Joe Thornwood, Clark Walker, Mike Kilroy," he went on, counting the names off on his fingers. "Each of them identified that man as the culprit."

"WHAT?!" Jack shouted in disbelief. "Those three punks are the ones who started this whole demon scare? UHHH! I’m gonna kill ‘em! I’m gonna kill all of them!"

"Jack," Hanpan spoke up, poking his head out of his partner’s coat pocket, "I think we got bigger problems here than them."

"Ya got that right," the lawman responded, then turned his attention back to Jack. "Sir, I’m afraid to tell you that your daughter is being brought up on accessory charges."

"WHAT?!" Jack shouted, slamming his fists onto the desk. "That’s a load of bullshite! How DARE they incriminate MY daughter!"

"She’s our daughter, Jack," Elmina replied, her fists shaking in anger. "This infuriates me as well. How dare he drag my daughter into his sick little game!"

Jack slowly turned his head towards his beloved wife. "What are you talking about," he asked suspiciously. "Whose game?"

"You know him," the deputy asked Elmina. "Who is that guy?"

The Sword Princess closed her eyes for a few moments, bracing herself to answer the deputy. She knew well how they would’ve reacted to the news she had to disclose, especially Jack. Elmina opened her green eyes, which had a deadly serious look within them. "The same one who all but wiped Arctica off the face of Filgaia all those years ago."

Everyone gasped in horror, staring at Elmina in disbelief. All of her friends knew exactly what she was talking about, including Doctor Seifer. The sheriff and his deputy didn’t really know the truth, but they were shocked nonetheless.

"Are you serious," the sheriff asked quietly, a fearful look in his eyes.

Elmina simply nodded her head. "Back then, he was known as Alhazad, one of the four lords of the Demon Race. Their main goal was to destroy the old order on Filgaia, and claim the planet for themselves." She began sniffling, as the pain she suffered during the war came back to her once more. "Their first target was Arctica," she continued emotionally. "During a snowstorm, they descended upon the kingdom. The town fell in a matter of minutes." Tears began to fall from her eyes, running down her grieving face. "They set the castle on fire… the Royal Family was murdered, every last one… the Fenril Knights were slaughtered mercilessly! No one was spared!" The tragic heroine couldn’t continue, and broke down into tears.

Jack reached back and took hold of Elmina’s hand. The redhead gripped it tightly, shaking in dread at the remembrance of Arctica’s brutal demise. Jack looked into his wife’s anguished face, wondering if she was right about Aubrey. The idea of the man Erica had come to love being their worst enemy truly terrified the swordsman. He didn’t want to relive the nightmare of the Second Demon War, and yet he couldn’t deny what was happening to his kingdom.

Jack sighed to himself, and turned back to the sheriff. "There was no stopping them," he said gravely, picking up where Elmina left off. "We couldn’t stop them. The people thought we were invulnerable, but it wasn’t the case. Only Elmina, Erica, and myself survived that night of carnage." Even Jack began to cry, remembering the most painful part of the attack, when Elmina locked him out of the castle so he could escape with his life while she held off Alhazad. "There were no others. Alhazad intended to crush Arctica!" he said angrily, still livid over what his archenemy wrought years ago.

"And now," Cecilia spoke up, "he’s picking up right where he left off. Countless people are dead or wounded. The castle is in ruins. He’s the reason this kingdom is suffering! He has to be stopped!"

Both law enforcers behind the desk were utterly speechless. Neither of them knew how Arctica truly fell during the war, and the revelation instilled fear into them like they’d never known.

Suddenly, the door leading outside slammed open, and a large black wolf charged into the station.

"What in tarnation!" Sheriff Donaldson stated in shock, reaching for his ARM.

"Hold on, sheriff!" Jack called out, holding his hand out. "He’s with us!"

"Are you sure," Cecilia asked, also intimidated by the large dog.

"Trust me, Princess. Darksong’s our pet. He won’t bite you."

"Gee thanks," Cecilia replied, light sarcasm in her voice.

"Oh my goodness," Doctor Seifer remarked, blinking her eyes. "What is he doing this time?"

Darksong whined at Jack, an anxious look in his blue eyes. He reached forth with his muzzle and took hold of Jack’s coat sleeve.

"Hey hey hey, knock it off, boy," Jack said in protest. "What do you think you’re doing?" He reached out to pet Darksong’s head, trying to soothe his near frantic pet. It was then that he noticed several large bumps along the wolf’s cranial area. "What the hell," he remarked, a look of anger on his face. He ran his hand through the dog’s fur, and felt small shards of broken glass within it. He also noticed a couple of small cuts along its back, and felt fresh blood on his fingers. "That bastard!" the swordsman shouted. "It’s not bad enough he sneaks into our house and causes all this mess, but now he hurts my dog?!" Jack indignantly drew his sword in his anger, and a red spark of light shot up the blade. "That does it! This time, he’s gone TOO far! I’m gonna make him wish he was never born!"

"No, Jack," Elmina shot back with a dark glare, "we’re gonna make him wish he was never born. He’s going to pay for all the lives he’s destroyed." The redhead also drew her sword, and a small sparkle briefly appeared on the tip of the blade. "I’ve waited a long time for this moment, Alhazad. You shall suffer for all the pain and torment you’ve caused me. This sword shall feast on your blood!"

"Whoa," Sheriff Donaldson said cautiously, "take it easy, ma’am. If he’s as dangerous as you say, then he’s not gonna just stand there and let you kill him."

"He has a point, Elmina," Cecilia added. "You should know that better than anyone."

Elmina hissed to herself. "I know that," she replied, not turning to face Cecilia. "I’m just tired of watching him toying with innocent people. We have to stop him before he destroys any more lives."

"We will stop him," the mage responded. "Mark my word." She turned to Jack, a grave look on her young face. "I can’t talk you out of this, can I?"

"This is my fight, Cecilia," the swordsman replied sternly. "Nothing will stop me from sending that monster back to Hell! If he’s done anything to Erica, he’s gonna learn new meaning to the word ‘pain.’"

"Oh, yes he will," Elmina added with a dark glare, incensed by the notion of Alhazad getting too close to her daughter, "yes he will."

Cecilia sighed to herself. "I was afraid of that," she thought to herself. "Hold still, Jack," she said aloud. She walked over to the swordsman, and kneeled by his injured leg. She concentrated for a few moments, and focused her magic energy on Jack’s leg. "HEAL!!" she shouted. A surge of healing energy washed over the leg, mending the broken bones, injured muscles and damaged arteries, as the sound of a heavenly harp echoed throughout the station. After another moment, the healing energy faded, its work completed.

"Ah," Jack said in relief, "that’s much better." He discarded his crutch, feeling confident enough to stand on two feet once again.

"That’s the best I can do," Cecilia said, getting back to her feet. "Don’t overdo it, Jack, the leg’s not fully healed."

"It’s good enough. Thanks again, Cecilia."

"Glad to be of help," the blonde woman said with an encouraged smile. She turned to the law enforcer, who was still standing in open-mouthed awe. She guessed the sheriff hadn’t seen magic before, and wasn’t surprised by his reaction. "Sheriff," she said sharply.

Sheriff Donaldson was shaken out of his stupor, and took a moment to regain his composure. "Sorry about that, ma’am," he said.

"It’s okay. Sheriff, leave Alhazad to us. He’s far too powerful for you to handle."

"Alright, sounds like you people know him a lot better than us. Be quick about it, though. The sooner we end this madness, the better."

"Head on out the back door," the deputy added. "No one outside will see you, and you can reach him faster. Please stop that ghoul, before this town tears itself apart."

"Don’t worry," Jack said to the deputy, "we will."

The party sneaked out the back door, and made their way back towards the house. Sure enough, the crowd gathered outside the station never noticed them, as they were too focused on the front door.

Darksong led the way back to the house, with Jack and the others in hot pursuit. Each had their weapons ready, prepared for battle against their old foe, the Demon Lord Alhazad. Jack and Elmina had their swords drawn, and fierce expressions on their faces. Cecilia had her scepter at the ready, and Rudy had his ARM out. Even Doctor Seifer was with them, also looking deadly serious.

"Why are you coming, Doc," Jack asked behind him. "This is gonna be ugly."

"I’m aware of that, Jack," the doctor replied. "Even though I can’t fight, I want to help any way I can. Alhazad killed my parents and all of my precious friends. I want to see him punished with my own eyes."

"Oh, he’ll be punished, Lana," Elmina replied over her shoulder. "Trust me."

"Wait," Jack said suddenly, grabbing Elmina’s arm. He saw his wife turning to face him. "Elmina," he began, "what happened to you? Was there trouble on the pass?"

The Sword Princess sighed gravely, bowing her head for a moment. She knew Jack would’ve exploded once he heard the news she had to tell him, but she couldn’t keep it a secret. "Yes," she said quietly. "Jack, Alhazad sent one of his monsters into the pass." She sniffled a bit before continuing. "It killed almost a dozen people there, even little children."

"WHAT?!" Jack shouted in rage.

"A dozen," Rudy asked in disbelief. "Oh no, those people who wanted to flee Arctica last night."

"Why would anyone want to flee this place," Jack asked.

"I think it’s only too clear, Jack," Doctor Seifer spoke up. "After the collapse of the castle, and the rumor of demons in Arctica, people were afraid. They didn’t feel safe here anymore. It wouldn’t be surprising if some wanted to leave."

"But they never made it," Elmina said darkly. "Alhazad saw to that."

"That monster!" Jack snapped. "It’s just like him to set up a deathtrap like that. I’m gonna lop his head off for all the lives he’s destroyed! He’ll get no mercy from Jack Van Burace!" He turned from Elmina and continued towards the house.

"Or from Elmina Van Burace." The swordswoman followed Jack, with the others behind her.

The party arrived at the house, and saw a broken window near the front door.

"That would explain the shards in Darksong’s fur," Jack commented. He looked to his faithful pet. "Is that it, boy? You were trying to escape from him?"

Darksong whined sadly, and shook his head. "I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him, Jack," he thought to himself. "I failed you… again."

The wolf made his way around the side of the house, much to the surprise of the group.

"Where ya goin’, Dark," Jack called out, watching his friend disappear around the side of the house.

The swordsman followed him around the wolf, and soon caught up to him by the bulkhead. He saw Darksong desperately trying to dig through the snow, which covered the entrance into the basement. "Oh no, he’s NOT!" he said in shock.

Elmina came to his side, and also discerned the situation. "Get that bulkhead open!" she shouted to the others.

Rudy quickly came over, and brushed the snow away from the handles. He then took hold of the handles. Using his Holmcross strength, he pulled on the handles and managed to get the snow-covered doors open, though it took a lot of effort. His muscles still ached after he’d opened the bulkhead.

"Great job, Rudy!" Cecilia exclaimed. She instinctively went forth and hugged him from behind, but quickly released him as she felt him tense up. She saw Rudy turn around, a surprised look on his face. Cecilia was just as surprised, realizing what she’d done. They stood frozen for many moments, staring at one another. Each had a somewhat guilty and sad look in their eyes, and neither said a word.

"Hey!" Jack called out. "Knock it off, you two! We got work to do!"

Cecilia was snapped out of her daze, and shook her head of blonde hair. "Coming!"

"Same here!" Rudy added.

The group made their way into the basement. The afternoon sun streaming through the open bulkhead illuminated the interior of the basement, so there was no need for a lantern. They made their way to the back, which was still fairly bright from the sunlight entering the basement. They saw an open trapdoor in the middle of the floor, with a large trunk off to the side.

"He didn’t," Jack said in disbelief.

"He did," Elmina said from beside him. "That trunk wouldn’t have stopped him."

The party heard sobbing coming from the trapdoor, sounding feminine and very broken.

"That bastard!" Jack said angrily.

Darksong sped past him, and ran down the ladder leading into the sub-basement. Jack soon climbed down behind him, followed by the others. They saw Erica on her knees, crying in unbridled sorrow. Jack saw Aubrey holding her, also down on one knee.

The elder Van Burace brandished his sword at the young man, who he realized was his enemy. "Get away from her," he said coldly.

The man in lavender continued to hold Erica, making no indication that he’d heard Jack.

"I said get away from her!" Jack shouted, incensed by the unresponsiveness of the stranger. "Now!"

Erica turned her head to face Jack, a vindictive look on her face. She was visibly shaking as she released Aubrey and got to her feet. She stood between her father and her boyfriend.

"Erica," Jack said to his daughter, "move aside. He has to be destroyed!"

Seething tears continued to run down Erica’s cheeks as she glared at her father. "You would kill the only man I’ve ever loved," she asked in an accusing voice. "What kind of a monster are you?"

"WHAT?!" the swordsman snapped. "What are you talking about? He’s the monster!" he went on, pointing at Aubrey. "Not me! He’s a threat to everyone living in Arctica! No one’s safe as long as he lives!"

Darksong barked loudly at Aubrey, confirming Jack’s statement about him. Unfazed by the hostility displayed before him, Aubrey got to his feet, averting his eyes from the group. He turned around from them, his hands behind his back.

"Shut up!" Erica shot back at Jack. "He’s not a threat! If it weren’t for him, I would’ve been killed the other day! He’s been with me through the worst times in the past few days, more than I can say for you." She then gave her mother a hateful stare. "And especially you."

Elmina was taken back by her daughter’s accusations, her green eyes dilating in surprise. "What has he been telling you," she asked.

"He didn’t have to tell me anything. The evidence is right there," she went on, pointing to the armor situated against the back wall.

Cecilia looked to the back wall, and saw the familiar armor of Lady Harken. "Oh my Guardians," she said to herself.

"It can’t be," Rudy remarked.

"What," Doctor Seifer asked. "What is this?"

"Erica," Jack said angrily, livid that his daughter had disobeyed him.

Elmina gave Aubrey a vicious glare, though the man didn’t seem to notice, which infuriated her all the more.

"It’s quite obvious now why Arctica fell," Erica continued, her accusing eyes fixed on her mother. "You opened the gates and let Alhazad in!"

Elmina quickly turned her gaze to Erica. "I did no such thing!" she snapped. "What has he been telling you?"

"Erica," Lana Seifer said urgently, "what are you talking about?"

"She knows what I’m talking about," the blonde girl responded to the doctor, before turning back to her mother. "Don’t you… Lady Harken."

The whole group gasped in shock, startled by Erica’s revelation.

"That is absurd!" the doctor protested. "I’ve known your mother for years! She is no traitor."

"Really," Erica asked. "They had the same hair, the same eyes, the same face, and they both used the Fast Draw. Are you saying that’s just a coincidence?"

Doctor Seifer blinked repeatedly, a look of horror on her face. "It can’t be," she finally said.

"It is. I’ve met Harken personally. I never guessed she was really my mother, until now."

Elmina clenched her fists in anger, furious at the recent turn of events. "Erica," she said, trying to keep her rage under control. "Listen to me. I never betrayed anyone. The demons attacked during a horrible blizzard. Nobody let them in." The warrior’s shoulders were shaking, as her rage became almost impossible to quell. "And if you don’t believe me, just ask him!" she shouted, pointing a finger at Aubrey. "He’s the one who led the attack!"

"What," Erica asked in horror.

"If it weren’t for him," Elmina continued, "Lady Harken would’ve never existed." She turned back to Erica, an almost pleading look in her emerald eyes. "I never wanted to become a demon, I never wanted to fight your father." The Sword Princess had to fight hard to keep from crying. "But he forced it upon me!" she screamed in rage. "He wanted us to kill each other just for his own amusement!" She glared at the strange man, who still hadn’t turned around. "Isn’t that right, Alhazad!"

Erica almost cried out in fright. She immediately spun around to Aubrey, who still had his hands clasped behind his back. It had never occurred to her that the man she’d come to love might’ve been an enemy, let alone the same enemy who destroyed Arctica more than a decade ago, and caused so much misery for the Dream Chasers in their quest to save Filgaia, especially for Jack. Erica shivered in fear, remembering her encounters with Alhazad in Saint Centour and Court Seim, when the demon taunted her with his knowledge about her mother’s fate. He never told her the whole truth, she never discovered it until the seal in the basement was broken.

Aubrey continued to face the back of the room. He knew his true identity had been revealed, but he refused to give them the satisfaction of knowing they’d exposed him. Even though he was at a distinct disadvantage, mostly because he was without his original metallic body, he refused to show weakness to the group gathered before him. He wasn’t going to abandon his dignity, regardless of how grim the situation looked.

The demonic man let out a sinister chuckle, sounding amused by their threats. "Well well well," he said casually, turning around to face the group. "We meet again, my human friends."

Jack, Rudy, Cecilia, and Elmina gasped. They recognized the inflections, not to mention the phrase the man used. They were synonymous with their old foe, Alhazad, who finally showed his face to them. They all saw his cold red eyes burning into the core of their very beings. Doctor Seifer was truly terrified. She’d never met Alhazad in person, and quivered beneath his burning stare. Darksong tried to be brave, snarling viciously at the demon, but the ancient enemy of Filgaia refused to be intimidated by anyone. The most scared of everyone, however, was Erica, as the man she loved had finally revealed himself. She gasped in horror, remembering Alhazad’s cold gaze from the war, and it was the same one her beau bore. A slew of little clues Erica had picked up over the past couple of days finally came together, reaffirming what the man said about himself. "Oh my Guardians," she said in horror.

Chapter Text

The chamber underneath the basement grew significantly colder, far below the point of freezing water. A cold chill ran up the spines of the Dream Chasers, threatening to chill their very souls. Cecilia’s green eyes went wide, and her breathing became short and silent. Her fingers nervously twitched, as she braced for any hostile movement. Rudy stood in front of Cecilia, shielding the princess with his left arm as his free hand reached for his ARM. Jack’s arms rested by his sides, though his fingers shot outwards, as he looked forward with a harsh glare. Elmina’s hands clenched into fists, and her lips were drawn tightly together. Her thin eyebrows were knitted together, and her green eyes bored into the man standing at the other end of the room. Darksong growled at the man, preparing to strike at a moment’s notice.

At the other end of the room, a young man with black hair squinted at the group with cold red eyes. A slight, yet contemptuous sneer was evident on his face. Until that moment, he had been known as Aubrey, an outsider who had only arrived a couple of days ago. However, once Elmina and Cecilia had seen him for the first time, his true self became apparent to them. Aubrey had no choice but to reveal himself to everyone, even Erica, who stood between him and her parents, looking back at Aubrey with an expression of shock, horror, and disbelief.

"You," Jack started, livid at the dark haried man, "you!" His free hand balled into a fist at that moment, and he clenched his sword even tighter. "How dare you worm your way into my happy home, you vile snake! How dare you mess with family, my kingdom! Get away from Erica!" he shouted, pointing his sword at the man. "I command you!"

Aubrey responded by throwing his head back in uproarious laughter. "You command me!?" he asked with an amused smile. "Oh, you always were entertaining, my friend. It amazes me that a bumbling unwashed vagabond like yourself believes he can command a far more eminent and clearly superior personage, such as myself," he continued, motioning to himself in a less than humble manner. "But I should not expect you, with your limited intellectual capacity, to even remotely understand this."

"Shut your hole!" Jack snapped. "Don’t you try and judge me, creep! You’re the one who destroys lives just for fun!" The swordsman growled in anger, glaring at his foe. "I can’t believe you managed to escape from Hell. Well, we’re gonna end all this! But first, take off that disguise and show Erica the REAL you!"

The dark man tilted his head to the side, a disdainful look on his face.

"You heard me!" the elder Van Burace shouted. "Take off that disguise! TAKE OFF THAT DISGUISE!!"

Aubrey didn’t react from Jack’s tirade, his expression seemingly invulnerable. "You first."

Jack looked shocked at his enemy’s reply, lowering his sword for a moment. "What are you talking about," he demanded. "I’m not wearing any disguise!"

Alhazad leveled his ominous gaze at the swordsman. "You are a liar and a charlatan," he said in a cold, judgmental voice. "And a coward."

"How dare you!" Elmina snapped, coming up beside her spouse. "Jack is the bravest man I have ever met in my entire life! He’s got more courage in his pinky than you’ve got in your whole body! Don’t you dare call him a coward, you disgusting leech!"

"How pitiful," the man in lavender clothes remarked to the redhead. "You used to condemn him for such spineless behavior, and now you attempt to deny his glaring weakness. You once abhorred cowardice, but now it appears that you approve of it. And not only do you approve, you practice it yourself. It is appalling to witness how much he has corrupted you."

"Corrupted me?! CORRUPTED ME?! Jack hasn’t corrupted me, you imbecile! He’s released me from the dehumanizing fate you imposed upon me! I have my freedom back, my family back, and I’m not gonna allow you take it all away from me again!"

"Cut the crap, you two-faced lying bitch," an unconvinced Erica said sharply.

"What was that?!" Elmina demanded of her daughter. "Don’t you talk like that to me, young lady! I am your mother, Erica Van Burace! You will respect me!"

"Up yours, Harken! The only thing you’ve ever respected is power. You wanted power, and Alhazad gave it to you! He gave you everything you ever wanted! And now you expect me believe that it wasn’t your fault? That you’re still the same woman I used to love and admire? Bullshit! You’re nothing but a con artist, Harken! I want nothing more to do with you!"

The Sword Princess gave Erica a seething look. "Don’t you EVER call me that!" she snapped at the blonde woman. "Lady Harken is dead! And we’re gonna send that freakshow behind you back to Hell where he belongs, with or without your help!" She drew her blade from its sheath, and leered at Erica once more. "Now move aside, Erica."

"Or else what," Erica replied contemptuously.

Elmina tightened her grip on her sword, incensed by her daughter’s defiance. "Erica," she said in a low voice, "don’t do this to me. I don’t want to hurt you."

"You already have, you monster. You betrayed me. You betrayed us all! And then you have the audacity to claim that you don’t want to hurt me?!" Erica glared at the swordswoman, no longer thinking of her as her mother. "I’m through with you, Harken. I’m through with ALL of you!” she all but screamed pointing sharply at the dream chasers and Darksong. “If you’re all stupid enough to actually trust that bitch again, then I’m gone."

Darksong barked heatedly at Erica, incensed by the way she was talking to Elmina.

"Can it!" Erica snapped at the wolf. "I can’t believe you’re defending this vile lying psychopath, Darksong. I thought I knew you, but I guess you’re no different than the rest. Dad, Rudy, Hanpan, even you!" she declared indignantly. "You’re all protecting the vile bitch who destroyed Arctica, who tried to destroy us all time and time again! WHY?!”

“ Erica...” Alhazad reached for her shoulder. Attempting to grab her attention. The two Van Buraces continued to argue. Alhazad let out a sigh and put his thumbs in his mouth, blowing out a loud whistle. The room went quiet. Everyone turned to look and stared at the Demon Lord.

“ What!?” Erica looked at him, almost annoyed for being made to stop ranting her point and standing up for her beliefs, her values. Giving a vexed glare at her demonic boyfriend for being interrupted. Alhazad didn't budge under Erica's glare. He calmed the room by motioning his hands down.

“ I think I speak for everyone else in the room.. My dear Erica but can you PLEASE.” Alhazad put his palms together, making a praying motion. “ Take it down a notch on the language. You are in front of your parents, for Hyades sake. We might venomously loath each others existence but I think we could all at least agree on one thing; swearing isn’t very becoming of you. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Fuck off you freak show.”

“See, this is the kind of verbiage that I do not favor Erica, and why I for the life of me cannot understand why Elmina tolerates this kind of behavior.. Erica- lease just, with all do respect. At the very least, I may be able to win over your parents affects-

“It’ll be a cold day in Hell you fucking monster—” Jack cut him off.

“If I mange to tame that sailor mouth of yours—” Alhazad cut back. Smiling at the blond woman.

“Shut the HELL UP! And quit using your fancy words ‘n shit to talk and twist your way out of this you god damn creep.”

“It isnt a very good character trait to have-”

“ QUIT STALLING YOU -”

“As demonstrated here by your father, notice how unintelligent it makes you look.”

“ Whatever, Mom’s still a lying bitch. More than you ever were Aubrey. You’re Alhazad; your actions are at least explainable. What about mom's? She’s the traitor!”

"You stop that right now, young lady!" Jack said sharply, pointing his finger at his only daughter. "How dare you speak to your own mother like that! You owe us everything, Erica. You owe us your very life! I can’t believe that monster has warped your mind like this! Wake UP, Erica! He’s only using you, just like he did your mother! HE’S the reason you went without a mother for all those years! HE’S the reason we lost Arctica! HE’S the reason the restoration project got canned! HE’S the reason this town’s in a panic! HE’S the reason there’s a freakin’ warrant out for your arrest! So why in the name of all Filgaia are you protecting him?"

Erica gave her father an incredulous look. "My arrest," she asked, touching on the subject that she found the most shocking. "What are you talking about, Dad?"

"He’s talking about your connection to Lilly’s murder," Elmina said sternly. "HAVEN’T I TOLD YOU TIME AND AGAIN THAT WE DON’T KILL PEOPLE?!" she screamed at her daughter. "We are knights, not killers! I don’t care HOW much Lilly and her goons aggravate you! Killing them is out of the question!"

"We didn’t have a choice!" Erica defensively retorted. "They ambushed us and were planning to kill us! If it weren’t for Aubrey, Lilly would’ve blown my head off back there."

"What?!" Rudy exclaimed, his eyes going wide in shock. "That’s why she came back," he asked in his mind. "To kill Erica?" He looked to his hands in horror, realizing that he’d unknowingly assisted in an attempted murder.

An incensed Jack stepped forward and roughly grabbed Erica by the shoulders. "Don’t you lie to us, Erica Van Burace!" he snapped in a harsh voice. "Don’t you EVER lie to us! Alhazad doesn’t save lives, you stupid girl! He destroys them! He’s killed thousands, maybe millions of lives! And those he doesn’t kill, he uses in his inhuman experiments! He’s not a hero, he’s a monster!"

"You’re wrong!" Erica shot back, struggling to get free from her father’s grip. "He’s not a monster! He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me! Let me go!"

"No!" the elder Van Burace patriarch spoke heatedly, maintaining his grasp on Erica. "One way or another, I will get through to you! Take the blinders off and see him for what he really is!"

"My my," Aubrey drawled at Jack, "imposing your will upon your own flesh and blood. That must require a lot of courage."

The swordsman glared at his old enemy. "Shut up, you evil bastard! If it wasn’t for you, none of this would be happening!"

"Always looking for a scapegoat, eh," the man asked, unfazed by Jack’s accusations. "Well, I can’t honestly say I am surprised. Humans are far too fickle and immature to accept responsibility for their failures. When confronted by adversity, they capitulate and succumb to despair. And you embody that better than anyone I know. You’ve hidden behind a mask to evade the reality of your ineptitude for well over a decade," he went on in a cold, judgmental voice. "You have deceived everyone about your actions during the war, including your own daughter. You abandoned the only woman you ever loved, the mother of your illegitimate child, and then when you found her alive after all those lonely years…. you killed her in cold blood!"

"LIAR!" Jack shouted defiantly. "I didn’t kill Elmina! I… it was YOU who killed her! You stole her humanity and turned her into a monster! I did what I had to do to save her! I didn’t have a choice!"

"You had a choice, and you chose to destroy her. After all, she was the enemy, and you and the rest of your pitiful order were trained to destroy the enemy, even if the enemy is someone you love. The power to protect is nothing more than an illusion. In order to protect what is precious, you must destroy anything and anyone that could possibly threaten it. By your own admission, you did what you had to do. You had to destroy the woman you loved because she was the enemy. Isn’t that right, Garrett."

"Garrett?" Erica asked, looking to Aubrey and then to her father.

Elmina hissed to herself, clenching her fist. She knew her old captor was touching on a subject that she and Jack had avoided for many years, the whole truth behind the fall of Arctica. They’d never told Erica the whole story, and Elmina was starting to regret their silence. The entire scenario was making her tortured heart pound faster in her chest, as her old demonic mindset was coming to the front of her mind again. She shook slightly, trying to maintain control.

"Don’t listen to him, Erica!" the swordsman said to the blonde girl. "Don’t listen to anything that comes from his poisonous lips. The power to protect is real! I, Jack Van Burace, proved it was real to that stupid demon! And I’ll prove it again, and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again! Good will always triumph over evil!"

"Cut the crap, Dad!" Erica said sarcastically. "If you’re supposed to be so good and righteous, why did you lie to me about Mom? Why did you kick me off the team during the war? Why’d you lie about your own freakin’ name?! If you can’t tell me that, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else, Garrett?"

"Erica-" Jack warned his daughter.

"She has a point, you know," Lana spoke up.

"WHAT?!" Jack exclaimed, spinning around to face the woman. "Doc, what are you talking about? How can you take his side in the matter? Have you lost your mind?"

The doctor folded her arms as she regarded the fuming warrior. "Garrett, after everything I have seen and heard down in this room, it has become quite apparent that no one was blameless during the war. Not him, not you, and definitely not Elmina."

Elmina quickly glanced over her shoulder towards Doctor Seifer. "Lana," she began, trying to reason with her old friend, "that was not my choice."

"How can you expect me believe that," the doctor asked incredulously. "I thought I knew you, Elmina. I thought you were my friend. And now I learn that you were fighting for the demons, the same demons that decimated Arctica during the war." Lana sighed gravely as she regarded the redhead. "I’d heard rumors that one of the knights was a traitor. I never imagined it was you."

"Lana," the swordswoman said with greater urgency, "listen to me! That was not my fault! Alhazad erased my memories and turned me-" The female knight groaned in pain, as the memories of being transformed into a Metal Demon returned to her, in full force. The remembrance of the inhumane ordeal made her hold her head in agony, and it strengthened her alternate persona. Elmina had to struggle to keep Harken’s thoughts at bay.

"Elmina!" an alarmed Cecilia spoke, knowing what was happening to her friend. "Fight it! Don’t give in!"

"Stay with us!" Rudy added, greatly worried about the Sword Princess’ mental health.

"Elmina!" Jack called out, seeing his wife in pain. He spun around again, giving the evil man a vengeful stare. "What are you doing to her, Alhazad?!" he demanded.

"Whoever said I was doing anything," the man succinctly stated. "The lady does not appear to require any assistance from me in order to regain consciousness."

"What!?!" Jack exclaimed in confusion. It took a few moments for him to truly grasp what Alhazad was suggesting. "No! NO!! I FORBID THIS!!"

"You are powerless to prevent it, Garrett, as you were powerless to prevent me from making an example of your pathetic order. Lady Harken is waking, unfortunately for you. This puts you in a very precarious predicament, doesn’t it?" he asked, sounding quite amused by the recent turn of events.

Jack backed away two steps, a worried look on his face. "What are you talking about," he asked timidly. "I won’t let you hurt her, Alhazad!"

The Demon Lord smiled in unholy delight. "Whoever said I would be the one that had the unenviable task of slaying the dear lady, hmm? Once she awakens fully, she will undoubtedly become your enemy once again, and you will have to terminate her, lest she endanger you and the people of Arctica. Are you willing to put the lives of everyone in this kingdom at risk for a woman who has done nothing but betray your naive trust?"

"She has never betrayed me!" the knight hastily retorted. "She loves me! She’s always loved me! Even when she was a demon, she still loved me! Not even you could change that!"

"Really?" Alhazad remarked, quite perturbed with Jack’s comments. "Have you forgotten that she was the one who broke the last statue and awakened the Mother?" The man placed his hands behind his back. "Have you forgotten that she was the one who attempted to murder Lucadia and sever the RayLine," he went on, walking around Erica and coming to face his enemy at close proximity. "Have you forgotten that she was the one who activated the Darkness Tear and nearly rent this entire world asunder!" he announced dramatically, his red eyes glowing in the darkness of the chamber.

"THAT’S A LIE!!" Elmina screamed at the man, coming up beside Jack. "I DID NOT ACTIVATE THAT ABOMINATION!!"

"Is that so?" the former Aubrey mused, looking in the Sword Princess’ direction. "If you remember correctly, the Darkness Tear and the Tear Drop were polar opposites, save in one regard. In order to effectively utilize the Tear’s power, it had to be conjoined to a woman with compatible life-force. The Tear Drop that dear Cecilia had graciously donated to our cause, which actually led to creation of the Darkness Tear, could’ve only been used by her, for it accepted her pure life-force. In order to produce a similar effect with the Darkness Tear, we needed a woman with a dark soul." The man gave Elmina and Jack an ominous grin. "Need I say more?"

The Sword Princess screamed in rage, incensed at Alhazad for what he’d revealed, for it presented her in a very bad light. She glared at the man with a look that made everyone in the room cringe, even Jack.

Lana backed into a corner, fearful of the swordswoman she thought she knew. "I don’t believe it," she uttered in shock, looking at Elmina with an appalled expression. "How could you? I was almost killed that day, countless lives were lost that day, and you were responsible? Do you have any shred of a conscience left?"

"I got more of a conscience than that freak show!" Elmina snapped, glancing over her shoulder towards the doctor. She then turned back to Alhazad, breathing very heavily from her intense anger. "I knew you wouldn’t change," she began in a vindictive voice. "Justine was a fool to bring you back. You trashed the castle just to spite him, didn’t you?"

"Think what you will," Alhazad blandly replied, folding his arms across his chest. "None of you seem to be interested in my side of the story, so I would be wasting my time even explaining it to you."

"There’s no need for you explain anything," Cecilia said coldly. "It’s quite obvious what has happened. You have blatantly abused the benevolence Justine showed you when he brought you back to life."

"What," Jack asked, turning to face Cecilia. "It was Justine who brought this creep back? What the hell is he thinking?"

"Who can really tell," the man in lavender mused. "Were his intentions every truly benevolent?"

"That doesn’t give you the right to slaughter innocent people just for your own amusement!" the Innocent One snapped.

"What are you talking about," Erica asked the mage. "Aubrey hasn’t slaughtered anyone, except for Lilly, who was never innocent.. At least Alhazad was there to protect me from her, more than I can say about you. Harken. You never once did anything to stop what she did to me! Always telling me to ignore it, to be stronger than that. And here you murdered countless people. Quit projecting your sins onto my boyfriend and me!”

Elmina’s eyes narrowed into deadly slits as she turned in Erica’s direction. "You are beginning to irritate me, waif. Stand down."

"Never." Erica defiantly replied.

The red-haired beauty frowned at Erica’s verbal barbs, and grasped her sword with both hands.

"Wait a minute!" Jack said aloud, warding off his wife with his arm. "Elmina, you can’t fight her, she’s our daughter!"

"She is also defending our archenemy, Jack," the swordswoman pointed out. "How can you tolerate that?"

The leader of the Fenril Knights sighed to himself, frustrated over the turn of events. Erica had refused to relent, even though she realized her beau was their old foe, Alhazad, reborn as a human. Jack couldn’t condone such actions, though he was reluctant to raise his sword against his own flesh and blood.

"I was once your enemy as well, darling," Elmina continued. "You had to destroy me before I went berserk and killed everyone in sight. There was no other way. There might not be another way now, either."

Darksong whined at Elmina, nonverbally pleading with her to be mistaken. He didn’t want to see his old friends fighting each other again. The thought of more bloodshed amongst Jack and his family truly horrified him, and he only wanted the conflict between them to end.

Elmina looked at the canine, listening to his baying. Finally, she shook her head, as if dismissing the wolf’s unspoken request. The beast moaned in sadness, bowing him muzzle.

Jack looked down at Darksong, gritting his teeth together at the thought what he feared had to be done. His gaze turned to his daughter, and he held his sword in both hands. "This is your last chance, Erica!" he said fiercely. "Stand down!"

"Never," Erica firmly replied. "You’re a fraud, Dad. You and her are both frauds! I will never forgive you for making a mockery of everything I once believed as true!" A look of anger on her face, she drew her sword from its sheath and grasped it tightly. "I’m through talking, Dad! Let’s rumble!"

The elder Van Burace’s face was a fearsome mask of outrage. "You fool!" he declared. "You’ve never beaten me in practice! You think you can take me in a real fight? DO YOU?!?!"

Erica didn’t respond at first. She remained steadfast in her stance. At that moment, she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She quickly saw her beau moving up beside her, and her hand shot out to grab his shoulder. "No," she said to him. "I will fight alone."

Alhazad quirked an eyebrow upwards as he turned to look at Erica. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Positive. Unlike them, I still have a sense of honor. I’ll handle this myself."

The man walked back a few steps, giving Erica plenty of space.

Jack closed his eyes for a moment, dreading what lay before him, but he saw no other way around it. Erica stood between him and his enemy, and refused to budge. "Guardians," he said under his breath, "forgive me for what I must do." He brought his sword into position. "En garde, Erica!" he said boldly.

The two Van Buraces got into their respective battle stance. Each of them knew the battle would be real, rather than merely practice. They eyed one another with a firm look, neither showing any weakness.

"I can’t watch," Cecilia said timidly, instinctively clutching onto Rudy for support. She froze for a moment, like she did outside the house. Rudy looked at her for many moments, and then held her beside him, just as nervous as Cecilia.

"Don’t worry," the blue-haired man said to the princess, "Jack knows what he’s doing. He knows it’s too crowded down here for all of us to attack Alhazad, so he’s taking the forefront, and it’s his daughter on the line. He won’t harm her, not too badly, I hope." He sighed to himself, lowering his gaze. "Erica, why are you doing this?"

Jack broke the standstill, and came down hard with his sword. Erica quickly brought her own blade up to block it. The swordsman moved in with a crossing slash, but it was also blocked. The elder Van Burace came at his daughter with a flurry of assaults, though each one was repelled. However, his greater strength was pushing Erica back towards the wall. He lunged at Erica with his sword, but the blonde girl swiftly moved aside to avoid the blow.

Erica stood against the right wall, and Jack turned to face her, sword in hand. The two warriors stared at one another for several tense moments, each awaiting the other’s next move. Erica was next to attack, and her sword was quickly parried. Their swords clashed almost twenty times, neither one able to wound the other. Finally, their swords locked, as both tried to overpower the other. Jack was pushing Erica’s sword back, until his leg began acting up again. The elder swordsman winced as his injured leg was failing him at the worst possible time. Erica felt him falter, and pushed harder with her sword. Jack was losing his footing, and knew he couldn’t overpower his daughter with one good leg. He struggled to keep his balance, though it was quite becoming increasingly difficult. He was so focused on the battle that he never realized he was standing directly in Aubrey’s line of sight.

"Jack!" Elmina called out, seeing Alhazad’s eyes glowing brightly. "Look out!"

"PEEK-A-BOO!!" the strange man shouted, firing two burning red lasers from his eyes, straight into Jack’s injured leg. The swordsman screamed in pain as the beams shot right through his leg, causing him to lose his balance and fall back onto the floor. Aubrey chuckled in demonic glee as he watched Jack groaning in pain on the floor, his hideous wound still burning. The smell of burning flesh elated the vile miscreant who’d felled his enemy with a sneak attack.

"JACK!!" Elmina cried out, horrified as she saw her spouse laid low before her and the others. The sight of Jack’s stricken body brought her back to reality. Her icy stare was gone, replaced by a look of naked fear.

Cecilia clung to Rudy, appalled by what she’d just witnessed. Doctor Seifer was truly terrified by the brutality before her. It was the first time that she’d seen such an action. She’d seen the consequences numerous times, but never the action itself.

The no longer incognito Demon Lord walked over towards Jack’s fallen form, laughing to himself as the others watched in horror. Even Erica was starting to become afraid, seeing her first love mercilessly attacking her father. "Oh, you are truly pathetic, Garrett," he began in a seething voice of unmasked contempt. "You left yourself wide open. And then you wonder why your subordinates are so woefully inept. They are merely emulating their leader!" Alhazad let out a roaring, maniacal laugh, enjoying the sight of the fallen warrior. He reached down and grabbed the back of Jack’s coat. With a rough jerk, he pulled the knight to his knees, leering at the suffering war hero. "Disgusting, inferior worm," he continued hatefully. "You have caused me far too much aggravation. Now, you shall experience the gruesome reality of that fabled expression."

The former Aubrey threw the swordsman down onto the floor, and saw the warrior’s blade, the Black Fenril, lying by his side. He focused his will upon the sword, and it levitated into the air by his power. The weapon floated over towards Alhazad, who grasped the powerful sword in his hand. The evil man brought Jack up to his hands and knees, and threw his long blonde hair over his head, exposing his neck. "Live by the sword," the reincarnated demon continued, raising the sword over his head with both hands, "DIE BY THE SWORD!!" Alhazad let out a guttural, rising growl, preparing to behead his old enemy. As he swung downwards, his sword was blocked by another blade with a ringing clash of metal, sending sparks everywhere.

Alhazad looked before him and saw Erica, her sword blocking the blade in his hands. She had a look of confusion and desperation on her face, and was visibly shaking. The man sensed the turmoil in her heart, and smirked at the blonde girl. He was a bit surprised by her actions, but not wholly taken aback. "So," he thought to himself, "in spite of learning the truth about her father, she still rushes in to protect him. This could actually work to my advantage." The man casually tossed the Black Fenril to the side, the sword clanging on the floor.

The Demon Lord gave the girl he once loved a malefic, menacing grin. "That’s right, Erica," he said darkly to the shaken young woman, "I am your enemy. I have always been your enemy." He stepped on Jack’s head, forcing him down onto the floor. He put all of his weight onto the back of the swordsman’s head, causing him to groan in pain. The man walked over Jack’s body to confront Erica. "It is your duty as a knight to destroy any viable threats to everything you are obligated to protect. Now then, Erica Stampede," he declared, spreading his arms wide in a dramatic fashion, "take your sword and strike me down! Just like your father!"

Erica’s mouth hung open, appalled by what the man she thought she knew had demanded. She backed away from him, teetering on the verge of panic. Even though she had just seen him severely injure her father, she couldn’t bring herself to retaliate. "No," she said in a weak, broken voice. "I c… can’t… I won’t… I won’t do it."

The man formerly known as Aubrey growled in anger, displeased that Erica had refused to obey him. A hateful scowl crossed his face, and his red eyes glowed menacingly, which made Erica even more frightened. Alhazad raised his right hand, and extended the palm of his hand towards Erica. "Then die," he said coldly.

A haze of violet energy appeared around the man’s hand, seemingly drawing the darkness about the room into it. The nebulous energy grew more substantial, and more evil. The souls of everyone in the chamber felt the eerie chill of Alhazad’s dark power, which he was obviously gathering for a single strike against the blonde girl before him. Erica was cringing in visible fright, her shoulders bunched up and her quivering hands brought up by her mouth. She saw no emotion on her beloved’s face, as the dark energy he was summoning resonated with even greater force. The energy coalesced into a glowing sphere of vile power, larger than a man’s head, which pulsated with increasing intensity.

Unable to idly watch any longer, Elmina sped past Jack and headed straight for Alhazad. Suddenly, the man’s arm swung out in her direction, and he released his dark blast of energy, all without taking his eyes off of Erica. The sphere struck Elmina full in the chest, exploding with a powerful detonation of evil energy. The Sword Princess screamed as she was thrown back across the room, slamming into the wall behind everyone with an authoritative thud. Everyone spun around to witness the warrior crumpling to the floor, badly wounded from the surprise attack.

"No!" Cecilia uttered in horror, mortified at the knight’s cruel fate.

"Elmina!," Rudy stated in shock, taken off-guard by the event.

Jack groaned in pain, aghast at seeing his precious wife being so brutally assaulted, and at being powerless to prevent it. "Elmina," he said weakly, still wracked with pain from his re-injured leg. "Elmina!"

Darksong was frozen in utter shock. He hadn’t expected his old foe to attack Elmina instead. He whined in sorrow, tears coming to his blue eyes.

Alhazad glanced over towards the suffering Elmina, who was lying prone on the floor, her breathing coming in very shallow spurts. There was a huge black hole in her chest, still crackling with dark energy. His face twisted in a mask of hate and disgust, and he turned his foreboding gaze back to Erica. "You spineless creature," he snarled venomously. "What kind of a warrior are you?!"

"B… b… b… but Aubrey," Erica began hesitantly.

The man reached out and roughly grabbed Erica’s collar. "Worthless wretch," he continued with blatant detest, "you are no longer of any consequence to me!" He released the girl’s collar, and let his hand fall by his side. "Farewell," he said coldly. His body glowed with an ivory hue, and then changed into pure energy. The energy formed a huge sphere of light, which quickly shrank into nothingness.

Erica’s heart sank into her chest, knowing that her lover was gone, leaving her alone amongst the broken remains of her family. The anguish she felt was like nothing else she’d ever experienced in her life. "No," she said in a feeble voice, "No! Come back, Aubrey! COME BAAAAAAAAAACK!!" Erica sheathed her sword and dashed across the room, speeding past the others and headed up the ladder. Her hurried footsteps echoed from above the group, as they heard her running out of the basement, and probably even further.

"Erica!" Rudy called out. "Get back here!"

"Don’t be a fool!" Cecilia shouted to the basement above her. "He was just using you! ERICAAAAAAAA!!!!"

The mage’s head fell, tears of grief coming to her brown eyes. The Van Burace family was in complete disarray, and she blamed Alhazad for causing the chaos. "You vile hell spawn," she said bitterly. "There will be no mercy for what you have wrought. NO MERCY!!" she shouted vengefully, despising her old foe even greater than before she arrived in Arctica.

Darksong bayed in sorrow, the scene before him reminding him of that fateful night in the bunker, when Alhazad killed Ryan and the new King before his very eyes. He looked to the ladder that Erica had just ascended. He dashed for the ladder and barely managed to scamper up and out of the hidden chamber.

Rudy looked up to the ceiling, hearing Darksong’s paws pounding against the basement floor. "Good boy, Dark," he said quietly. "Find Erica, and quickly."

The blue-haired adventurer turned to Cecilia, who was still shaking in anger over what had just transpired. "Cecilia," Rudy said urgently, "Jack and Elmina need serious help."

The former Innocent One sighed to herself. She knew the Holmcross was correct, and even though she badly wanted to pursue Alhazad, she placed her friends’ lives above any vendetta. She quickly went into her pouch, and produced her precious heirloom, the Tear Drop. She raised it over her head, concentrating her thoughts upon it. "ODORYUK!!" she called out. "I SUMMON THEE!!"

The image of a ghostly blue unicorn appeared in the room, rising up on its hind legs and whinnying in an echoing voice. A huge aura of bluish energy came from its horn, settling over the entire group. Cecilia watched as Elmina’s ghastly wound slowly began to close up, and as Jack’s injured leg glowed blue as the healing power mended his grievous injuries. After the few moments, the energy dissipated.

Jack groaned weakly, feeling the pain in his leg fading away to almost nothing. "What happened," he asked, looking about in a daze. He slowly got to his feet, his leg still aching quite noticeably. He looked about in a daze, and then saw Elmina lying by the edge of the room. "Elmina!" an alarmed Jack stated, heading over to his fallen wife.

"It’s alright," Cecilia said, desperately trying to reassure her old friend. "She’s just unconscious. She should be fine after a good night’s rest."

Jack drew his lips tightly together, incensed over what had occurred. "I’m not gonna rest," he said coldly. "This has gone way beyond personal. Now that monster has turned my own daughter against me! I won’t rest until I’ve shredded every last fiber of his diseased hide and seen him personally dragged back into Hell!"

"Or died trying," Cecilia asked pointedly.

The swordsman narrowed his eyes at the mage.

"Jack, if you try to fight him again, he’ll just attack that leg. He’s found a weak point, and he’s going to continue to strike at it. You, of all people, should know how ruthless he can be."

Jack grumbled to himself. He knew Cecilia had a point, but he didn’t want to admit it, nor did he want to see his archenemy escape with virtually no repercussions.

"Now, you and Elmina are both going to lie down until you’re better. Neither of you are leaving this house until you’ve fully healed. Understand?"

"And what about Alhazad," Jack said vindictively. "Are you just gonna let him off the hook?"

"No," Cecilia replied darkly. "He’s gone too far this time. But you’re still in no condition to fight him, so don’t get any heroic ideas. Just for once, please heed the advice of a healer?"

Jack looked to his feet, shaking in his rage. He soon saw his sword lying on the floor. It infuriated him even more that Alhazad had wielded the very blade Captain Coldbird’s spirit had personally granted him when he returned to Arctica Castle, planning to decapitate him with the sword of the Chief Knight. He spun on his heel, wincing a spin from the pain in his leg, and headed for his sword. But before he reached the blade, he felt a hand latching onto his arm, stopping him halfway. He turned to see Rudy holding onto his arm. "Let me go, Rudy!" he demanded of the ARMs meister.

"No chance, Jack," the adventurer replied. "You heard Cecilia."

"I don’t care!" the swordsman shouted. "I’m going after him! Now let me go!"

"Why," Cecilia asked, "so you can have your revenge?"

Jack glared at Cecilia, livid at her and the others for trying to stop him. Then, he remembered the promise he made to Elmina after she died in his arms, that he wouldn’t use his power for revenge. The hatred left his face, and his heart, as he saw that he sounded like he once did during the war, when revenge was the only thing that drove him. He grimaced in shame, realizing how easily he was falling back into his old habits.

"It’ll be alright, Jack," Cecilia said, trying to soothe the tormented warrior. "We’ll stop him and bring Erica back home. Don’t lose yourself, it’s not worth it."

"Will it be alright," Lana asked, folding her arms under her chest.

"Doc," Jack said to the woman.

Doctor Seifer gave Jack a hurt look. "How could you do this, Jack," she asked. "How could you stand by that… that traitor, after everything she’s done."

"She is not a traitor," the knight said defensively.

"Don’t give me that!" Lana snapped. "You’ve seen all the evil she’s committed, and yet you still stand by her, you go so far as to try to hide her sins in this room? I always wondered why you never allowed anyone into the basement. How long were you planning to keep all this a secret, Jack?"

"Doc-" the swordsman began.

"Can we save this for later," Rudy asked, stepping in between Jack and Lana. "Doctor Seifer, if you’ll stay a bit longer, we’ll tell you the whole story."

The doctor closed her spectacled eyes for a moment, letting out a long sigh. "Alright, Rudy," she finally said. "But I want to hear the whole story, and I do mean the whole story. Understand?"

"Yes, ma’am," the hero replied. "Come on, Jack, let’s get you and Elmina in bed."

Jack grumbled to himself, knowing it was going to be a long day.

Erica emerged from the open bulkhead, and continued running. She couldn’t stand to be in the house any longer, and had to flee. Grabbing her back pack by the door, with what little remaining food she had inside it, Alhazad’s old robe— she remembered now. When she looked inside to see its contents.. It was enough. Once she was outside, she heard over a hundred angry voices shouting from nearby. She turned to see a sizeable mob consisting of most of Arctica headed towards the house, armed with pitchforks, torches, axes, hammers, clubs, and other assorted weapons. Running ahead of the mob was the sheriff and his deputy, desperately trying to keep from being trampled underfoot by the crowd behind him. The sheriff looked ahead in Erica’s direction. "Stop right there!" he called out, increasing his pace. The deputy also hastened himself to keep up with his superior. Erica noticed following close behind the lawmen was Sydney Thornwood, father of Lilly and Joe.

Sheriff Donaldson stopped ten feet in front of Erica, turning back to the crowd. "Hold on there, everyone! We’ll take care of this! Just simmer down!"

"No!" a voice from the crowd shouted. "She let that demon into our kingdom! They must both die!"

"My Daddy lost his job because of that demon!" a young woman’s voice called out.

"All my friends were killed by him trying to escape this hellhole!" another angry voice declared.

"We must destroy them in order to break the demon’s curse!" an elderly woman’s voice shouted.

"Wh… wh… what do we do," Sheriff," the deputy timidly asked, looking to his boss.

"You know what you must do," Thornwood said, a hard expression on his lined face. "I want that criminal waif behind bars, and the rest of the Van Buraces under house arrest! I always knew they were trouble, and it seems that time has proven me right."

"Shut up, Thornwood!" Erica shot back. "Your ‘precious little girl’ tried to kill Aubrey and myself back there! She was no angel, and neither are you!"

"Silence!" the wealthy man angrily retorted. "Sheriff, arrest that fiend at once!"

Suddenly, there was a low rumbling coming across the horizon, in the direction of the town entrance. A colossal shadow rose up over the southern mountains, growing even larger as it spread out over the sky. The shadow congealed into a huge, twisted shape, one Erica hadn’t seen in years. The black form had vertical spikes on its shoulders, and a pair of glowing red eyes opened up to peer menacingly at the people watching it. Black clouds began to form over Arctica, blotting out the sun entirely.

A booming laugh came from the figure, carrying over the skies and lowering the temperature around the area, making the mob shiver in fear. "Cower before me, you pathetic humans!" the shadow shouted in a titanic voice, followed by a storm of huge thunderbolts, each about four feet thick, striking down amongst the people, causing them to scamper away in terror. Even Erica scampered away a bit, as a bolt narrowly missed her. "COWER BEFORE THE MIGHT OF ALHAZAD!!" the figure shouted, making the ground rumble as it spoke. A huge blizzard unexpectedly blew through the town, as bolts of lightning crackled down once again. The mob fled in terror of the unnatural phenomenon, even the two lawmen scurried away from the demonstration of inhuman power.

"NO!" Erica cried out over the storm. "STOP IT, AUBREY! STOP IT!!"

However, her words went unheeded, as the storm continued to assail Arctica, literally paralyzing the entire region. Erica shivered from the sudden drop in temperature, wrapping her arms around herself. "This is insane," she said aloud, horrified by what she had witnessed. "I have to find him. I can’t let this madness continue. Aubrey, why?" The estranged daughter of the man she’d always known as Jack Van Burace ran from the edge of town, and kept going. Her only thought, her only goal, was to find the man who once called himself Aubrey, the man she still loved in spite of what had been revealed and wrought. Bracing herself against cold, she went forward through the storm.

Chapter Text

Alhazad reappeared far outside the city limits. He looked back towards Arctica for a few moments. He sensed a tremendous amount of turmoil within the city, and smirked. The reincarnated demon knew that the chaos would’ve delayed the Van Buraces, temporarily preventing them from following the man. The Demon Lord turned around and walked away into the distance.

The former Quarter Knight headed towards the mountain pass to gather his thoughts. As he traveled, his thoughts turned to Erica. He was quite disgusted with the woman because she didn’t strike him down he gave her the opportunity. "Why didn’t you finish me off," he asked bitterly. "Then it would’ve been over." The man let out an aggravated sigh. "This entire episode has been a complete waste of my valuable time. There can be no peace between human and demon. Only one can rule Filgaia, the other… is eradicated." The ancient rued his predicament. He never imagined his race would’ve been the losers during the war, and he detested the stigma of defeat. The Demon Race was currently in even worse shape than before the war began. The Quarter Knights were dead, the treacherous Mother slain, all semblance of demon leadership was gone. Alhazad had lost everything he’d ever worked to accomplish, and was unwillingly awoken for a purpose he deemed impossible, in the image of the very people he despised so much. The more he thought of it, the more he felt the whole plan was designed to completely humiliate him. It made him increase his pace, his desire to reconcile with his sworn enemies dissipating into nothing.

A few minutes later, the mountain pass came into view. The not quite human raven haired man was actually glad the pass had been repaired. He knew it would've led him to the outskirts of the peninsula. Then he could’ve discerned a means to leave Arctica entirely. His crimson pupils detected two guards, one on each side of the entrance. He saw subduing them as a trifling matter, yet albeit necessary in order to proceed forward.

At that moment, a strong howling gust blew throughout the area, biting at the lone man. It was followed by an unforeseen blizzard lashing about the general vicinity. "Hmm," the dark figure noted, "abnormal change in climate." He felt the temperature dropping rapidly, and tied his scarf tightly around his neck. He also buttoned up his longcoat entirely, and placed his hands in his pockets. He looked behind him, and saw the skies over Arctica growing unnaturally dark. He easily saw that worst part of the storm was blowing through the kingdom itself. His red eyes narrowed suspiciously, noting how quickly and unexpectedly the blizzard had appeared and intensified. Alhazad perceived that it was not a natural storm. The lightning bolts were also an indicator, for Alhazad knew that thunder and lightning were uncommon for a blizzard. However, as conspicuous as the vicious snowstorm seemed, the resurrected demon wasn’t returning to Arctica, believing that he would’ve been blamed for the storm. He turned back towards the pass and continued forward.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared, blocking the way to the pass. "Where do you think you’re going," Justine growled, folding his arms over his barrel chest.

Alhazad sneered at the Guardian Lord, disgusted by his presence. "I’m leaving," he said plainly. "There’s nothing for me here."

Justine clenched his huge fists by his sides. "Out of the question!" he snapped. "I commanded you to make amends with the Van Buraces, and you have flagrantly defied me! You have killed and destroyed with impunity, when you were supposed to heal the wounds you inflicted in your past life!" The Guardian drew his sword, and pointed it straight at the Demon Lord. "You have forfeited your chance for repentance, Alhazad! Now I shall send you back to the Well of Souls, where you rightfully belong!"

The demonic man folded his arms together, unmoved by the mighty personage’s threats. "You should not have resurrected me in the first place. You have no one to blame but yourself for all the evil that has befallen this land."

"What?!"

"You foolish, sterile Guardian," a remorseless Alhazad continued. "Garrett and his brood have never been forgiving people. They do not forget, they do not forgive, ever. Your plan was destined to fail, and would’ve come to a tragic end." The man gazed suspiciously at Justine. "What was the real reason behind my revival, Guardian? It was not for reconciliation at all, was it?"

The Guardian of Courage snarled in anger, incensed at the demon for questioning his motives.

"Why did you bring me back, Guardian!" Alhazad demanded of the lion-like creature. "ANSWER ME!!"

Justine let out a bellowing roar of inhuman rage, his voice echoing for miles around. "YOU DARE COMMAND ME?!" he screamed at his enemy. "YOU HAVE DEFIED ME FOR THE LAST TIME, ALHAZAD!!" He grasped his sword with both hands, and brought his over his head. "DIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!" he screamed in blood-curdling rage.

Before Justine could bring his sword down, the storm came to a sudden stop. The wind-driven snow was frozen in midair. Even Justine was motionless, his sword still held overhead, and a look of pure hate on his feral countenance. The only one unaffected by the phenomenon was Alhazad. He quickly surmised that time itself had been frozen in the area for everything except him.

"Looks like we arrived just in time," a soft, yet powerful female voice spoke. A towering woman of divine beauty materialized behind Justine, garbed in a white dress with red lining. Her long white hair flowed naturally behind her, and her blue eyes glowed with purity. Alhazad recognized her as Raftina, the Guardian Lord of Love, the Guardian he used to hate the most, before Justine interfered with him and took her place.

"Time is my business, Lady Raftina," said another unseen voice. Suddenly, a Guardian that Alhazad had never seen materialized beside Raftina. He looked like a large black werecat, clad in red and gold armor, and wearing loose white pants. The Demon Lord backed away from the couple, a natural reaction when in the presence of such powerful Guardians.

"Stop, Alhazad," Raftina spoke firmly.

The former demon scientist stopped in place, glaring at the Guardian of Love.

"What shall we do with Justine," the second Guardian asked.

"Bring him back to our realm," Raftina replied, turning back to face her companion. "He shall be judged for what he has wrought. I thank you for your assistance, Dan Dairam."
"I was only too glad to help. After all that trouble Luceid caused, the last thing we needed was another renegade Guardian on the loose."

"Indeed. Thank you again, Guardian of Time."

"Your welcome," Dan Dairam replied, bowing his head. Though Alhazad sensed the Guardian of Time was stronger, he still deferred to the authority of the Guardian Lords. Dan Dairam disappeared, with Justine in tow. Once he was gone, time began moving forward again, and the blizzard surged once more about the area.

Raftina looked fondly at where her companion once stood. Her expression then grew grave, and she walked in front of the humanoid form of Alhazad. She turned to face him with an unreadable countenance. "Alhazad," she began in a quiet, yet stern voice, "we need to talk."

Alhazad turned his back to her, loathing her loving presence. "There is nothing to discuss," he grumbled. "It has become only too apparent that I have no place in the world of humans, so I am leaving this wretched land."

"No!" Raftina snapped. "You are not going to just quietly disappear after all the evil you have wrought. As if you hadn’t wreaked enough havoc during your first life, you’ve used your second life to murder and terrorize the good people of Arctica. The other Guardians have called for your death, and I see little to no reason to deny their request."

"Murder and terrorize," the man suspiciously asked the goddess. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I am talking about, Alhazad."

"Give me specifics!" the former Quarter Knight insisted. "Or be gone."

Raftina sighed to herself. She didn’t appreciate the ancient demon making demands of her, but something about the whole situation troubled her even more than Alhazad’s return to life. She looked down at her old enemy. "What about the castle? Several people died when you destroyed it, and its collapse instilled fear and terror into the people’s hearts."

"If anyone should be blamed for that debacle," Alhazad responded clinically, "it is Lilly. That mindless wench should not have forced my hand. And if I had not acted, Erica would be dead right now."

"That does not justify killing innocent people," the Guardian Lord of Love retorted. "Human lives are irreplaceable, Alhazad. You don’t sacrifice one life, or many lives, just to save another. And what about those people you killed in the mountains, those people who were trying to escape Arctica, because they no longer felt safe anymore. How can you justify that?"

The reincarnated demon leveled his gaze at the Guardian. "That was not my doing," he pointed out.

"Really," Raftina asked tartly. "It was your creation, your methods, it had your vileness all over it. And you have the audacity to tell me that you’re innocent of that massacre, and when it was clearly you who perpetrated it?"

" Ffft " Alhazad turned his back to the goddess in a huff. "You are just as pathetic as those humans. Neither you, nor they were interested in any explanations. I tell you my side of the story, and you quickly strive to refute it." He turned to face Raftina once again. "I always thought you Guardians were more open-minded than that, but now I see it is not the case. It appears that the old saying is indeed true. Birds of a feather do flock together."

The towering deity made a cross face at Alhazad, visibly perturbed at his allegations. Before she could respond, a familiar voice spoke into her mind, one she knew very well. Her face bore a look of surprise, as the voice within imparted disturbing tidings.

The Demon Lord noticed that Raftina was distracted. He quickly saw it as an opportunity to escape. His body glowed white, and changed into a sphere of light, which then vanished out of sight.

Raftina regained her composure, and saw that Alhazad was gone. "Blast you!" she shouted, angered that the evil man had escaped.

However, before she could act, the familiar sphere of light reappeared, and the demon rematerialized, in the same spot he had stood a few moments earlier. "What the-" Alhazad exclaimed in surprise. "What am I doing here? I should’ve reappeared far from this abominable domain!"

The Guardian thoughtfully held her delicate chin. "Hmm, this makes things simpler," she noted, "and yet also more difficult. What shall you do now that you know you can never leave Arctica?"

The Demon Lord was infuriated at the recent turn of events. He growled menacingly at the Guardian, initially believing her to be the cause of his apparent confinement in Arctica. After a few moments, he surmised that someone else had trapped him within the peninsula. "Justine," he snarled, his eyes glowing red with unveiled hatred. "You dare attempt to imprison ME?! Insolent, weak-minded simpleton, I shall end ALL of your nine lives for your impertinence! NO ONE confines the all-powerful Alhazad! NO ONE!!"

Raftina said nothing in response, also displeased by what she’d just witnessed. She solemnly bowed her head, closing her glowing blue eyes. "Justine," she said under her breath, "what have you wrought in your arrogance? What have you wrought?"

The man formerly known as Aubrey looked fiercely at the goddess. "Bring him to me, Guardian," he demanded. "Bring him to me!"

The Guardian Lord of Love opened her eyes to gaze upon the reincarnated demon. "No," she said firmly. "Justine is under our authority, Alhazad. We shall judge him for his actions, not you." Raftina sighed gravely, as she regarded the ancient foe of all Filgaia. "You have a lot of nerve, Demon Lord. You attempt to justify all the evil you’ve committed, while you accuse us of being narrow-minded. Such impertinence tells us that our decree is just. However, Dan Dairam has requested to spare your life, for now."

The sinister man sneered in hate at the loving deity. "I do not submit to the frivolous whims of pathetic, impotent gods. I will not be executed like a common criminal! I AM ALHAZAD!!" he shouted in rage and indignation. "LORD OF THE DEMON RACE!! ALL WHO OPPOSE ME SHALL PERISH!!"

Raftina squinted at the enraged fiend. "Is it any wonder why I disapprove of your continued existence," she said in a soft, yet grave voice.

"SILENCE!!" Alhazad snapped at the Guardian. "Don’t patronize me with your insulting drivel! You pitiful Guardians are not worthy to rule Filgaia! You are so sickeningly dependent on pestilent humans for power. We didn’t need to rely on anyone but ourselves! We should’ve crushed you and your pathetic human lackeys! Time and again, humans have proven themselves unworthy to reign over this world. And STILL, you refuse to act against them. I crushed Arctica as a testimony of human foolishness, yet those simpletons labor to rebuild, none the wiser from the experience!" He spat on the ground. "Humans are sickening creatures," he continued, hatred all over his face. "THEY are the reason Filgaia is rotting away. They kill themselves daily, yet they stubbornly cling to life. I have viewed the behavior of humanity for fifty generations. Each is the same as the last! Selfish, spiteful, rapacious scavengers, devouring everything and everyone around them! And yet, you pitiful Guardians continue to cling to the absurd notion that they shall undo what they've wrought, while Filgaia continues to decay, its soul crying out for death. Someone has to have the courage to say ‘Enough is enough!’" He exhaled angrily at Raftina. "And pull the plug."

The love goddess looked a bit disoriented. The malevolent hatred Alhazad was displaying was like poison to her. "So you think destroying a planet is courage," Raftina asked the Demon Lord. "You fool… you’ll destroy everyone… including Erica… including Elmina."

The man in lavender jerked his head to the side, hissing in anger. "Erica is weak," he spoke, undisguised contempt in his voice. "She had her chance, and she failed me. I do not tolerate failure!" he snapped at Raftina. "If she had any affection for me, she would’ve ended me. Her stubborn refusal demonstrates the disgusting weakness of humans. If they are not willing to sacrifice all to accomplish their objectives, then they are not worthy of this world." He glanced over his shoulder, looking back in the direction of Arctica. He solemnly closed his red eyes for a moment, before turning back towards the Guardian Lord of Love. "As for Elmina," he continued, "she is Garrett’s creature now. He has poisoned her mind and weakened her soul with his ignorance." He let out a demonic growl, despising his nemesis. "This is no longer the noble Elmina I once knew. She has become compliant, complacent, qualities she once condemned but now she embraces. I will never forgive Garrett for ruining my student! NEVER!! HE DESTROYED ALL OF MY DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS, AND I SHALL REPAY HIM IN KIND! I shall rebuild him into something so vile and twisted, that NO ONE, not human, nor Guaridan, nor Elw, NO ONE shall bear to be in his ghastly presence. Even his precious Elmina shall cringe at the very sight of him!" he went on, a gruesome smile on his face. "And finally, I shall have my revenge! You might call it poetic justice! Khhk, khhk, khhk!"

Raftina stumbled about, further weakened by Alhazad’s hateful heart. She saw no chance of reasoning with the ancient demon. "There is nothing more to discuss," she said weakly. "You are sealing your own fate, Alhazad. Once you are gone, none shall mourn you, not even the people you care about." The Guardian of Love glowed a serene shade of white, and then disappeared, her presence leaving the area, leaving the sinister man alone.

The resurrected demon looked to the spot where Raftina once stood, pondering her last words. A faint echo of guilt resonated within his black heart, though he strived to ignore it. "Sealing my fate," he asked. "It matters not. Nothing is of any import now. If they want me as their enemy, I shall give them exactly what they want, and everything that comes with it."

He looked back towards the pass. The two guards had apparently fled long ago, terrified of the scene before them. His head lowered, realizing that the pass was no longer an option, since he’d learned that Justine had magically confined him within Arctica. The entire episode inflamed a rage within him that he’d never experienced before. He reared his head back, and let out a blood-curdling scream of incalculable hatred and rage, voicing his nigh limitless anger against all of Filgaia. "YOU SHALL ALL SUFFER FOR HUMILIATING ME!! IF I PERISH, I SHALL TAKE THIS MISERABLE DOMAIN DOWN WITH ME!! NO ONE WILL BE SPARED!! NO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNE!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erica trudged her way through the snow, unprepared for the drastic change in climate. Her lover’s robe billowed behind her.. She had pulled Alhazad’s old robe out from the backpack and had it wrapped around her. The alien fabric did little to hinder the cold. Her whole body was shivering from the rapid drop in temperature, and the blinding blizzard only exacerbated her plight. And yet, despite the obstacles before her, she saw no choice but to escape. A couple of times, she looked back and saw the skies over Arctica becoming dark and ominous. The scene seemed appropriate to the young woman. Arctica had indeed become a dark, terrible place for Erica. Her own parents were no longer heroic knights, but scheming, deceptive fiends to her. And most of her closest friends sided with them, in spite of their deeds during the war. The worst part was when her beloved Aubrey was revealed to be the nefarious Demon Lord, Alhazad, who commanded Erica to take his life. The blonde girl refused to obey him, realizing how her own parents fought each other to the death during the war. She had no desire to follow what she perceived as her parents’ example. She refused to kill what was precious to her, even if Aubrey didn’t feel the same.

The young Van Burace girl fell to her hands and knees in the snow, her hands turning an icy shade of blue. Her strength was leaving her, and there was no sign of salvation in sight. However, in spite of her predicament, she refused to turn back. "Aubrey," she said weakly, imploring her first love to return to her. "AUUUBREEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY!!!!" With that final shout, Erica Van Burace fell facedown into the snow, wholly exhausted.

Several minutes passed, and the blonde girl made no visible movement, as the driving snow continued blowing over her fallen form, tears running down her bluish cheeks.

Around that time, the shadowy form of a large black wolf came into view. It saw the fallen girl in the snow, and quickly sprinted over towards her. The wolf looked over Erica, checking for signs of life. He was also shivering a bit, surprised by the abnormal drop in temperature. Fortunately, his thick fur coat protected him from the biting cold. "Shoot," the wolf thought to himself. "This isn’t good. If I don’t get Erica to some shelter, she’ll certainly freeze to death. I can’t let that happen. Jack and Elmina will never forgive me." The huge canine bowed its head in a somber, human fashion. After a few moments, his sadness gave way to anger, as he thought about the one he deemed responsible for the chaos that had plagued Arctica. He reared his head back, and let out a vicious roar of hate that lasted a good fifteen seconds. "CURSE YOU, ALHAZAD!!" the beast actually screamed in human tongue, an ability that he had hidden from everyone, even those closest to him. "IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING!! SO HELP ME, GUARDIANS, IF I EVER SEE YOU AGAIN, I WILL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT AND DEVOUR YOUR WRETCHED INNARDS!!!"

Darksong stood frozen for several moments, realizing what he’s just spoken. He knew he sounded more like a wolf than a human. He closed his eyes, comprehending how much he’d changed since his reincarnation several years ago. He knew he wouldn’t have even thought about devouring his enemies when he was Fenril Knight, and it deeply troubled him. After a few seconds, the personage formerly known as Coldbird Renox shook off his introspection and went back to assessing Erica’s condition.

The black wolf knew carrying Erica would’ve been extremely difficult in his current form. He knew he could’ve carried her on his back, but the problem was moving her body onto his back. Once again, he wished he was his old self again, for he could’ve easily picked up the fallen girl with his old arms. As the situation stood, the process of moving Erica’s body was exceedingly difficult for the troubled wolf.

The blizzard continued to howl around Darksong and Erica, muffling everything else in the area. The wolf couldn’t hear anything, save for the deafening winds that blew over his horizontally based form. As Darksong struggled with Erica, his eyes were soon greeted by the sight of a pair of black dress shoes, and the cuffs of a pair of familiar lavender trousers. He looked up, and saw the brooding face of Aubrey, leering down at his canine shape.

The black beast shuffled his paws backwards, snarling at the man he despised more than anyone else on Filgaia. "Get back!" he snapped in clear human tongue.

Aubrey continued to sneer at the wolf, unmoved by his threats.

"I said get back!" Darksong practically shouted.

The brooding man arrogantly titled his head to the side. "Or else what," he asked darkly.

The wolf let out a menacing growl. Darksong actually began to rise up on his hind legs, a feat impossible for any other of his species. At full height, he towered over his foe, snarling at the still unimpressed man. "Or else I kill you."

Alhazad laughed out loud, amused by the canine’s threats. "You stupid mutt!" he shot back. "Have you learned nothing from the last time you challenged me, Coldbird?"

"Coldbird is no more. There is only Darksong."

The contemptuous sneer returned to Aubrey’s face. "How pitiful," he said lowly. "You humans are so quick to disown yourselves when confronted with tragedy. You hide behind false identities in order to ease the pain, to escape the reality of your ineptitude."

Darksong snarled viciously at the lavender-clad figure before him, his patience wearing dangerously thin.

"But there is no escape," Alhazad continued. "In time, your failures are exposed, much as it was for your old pupils earlier today. Garrett and Elmina will have a lot of explaining to do over the next few days. Oh, I desire not to be in their uncomfortable shoes."

"Silence!" the wolf yelled. "I tire of you debasing my friends, Alhazad! DIIIIIEEEEE!!" Darksong lunged at Alhazad’s throat with his fangs, but the Demon Lord suddenly became insubstantial in form, and the wolf passed though him, landing behind the man.

Darksong quickly turned around, livid that his initial attack had failed. He saw Aubrey had not turned around to face him. His animal instincts taking over, the black wolf leaped towards the man again, only to pass through his body once more. The great beast landed in front of Aubrey, growing more incensed by the moment. He spun around and made another lunge. Alhazad sidestepped the charging wolf and grabbed onto its tail, causing him to whine and wail in pain. Aubrey began to spin around in a circle, swinging Darksong around by his tail. After a few moments, the man released the wolf’s tail, and sent him flying helplessly through the air, watching him sailing into the distance.

Alhazad turned from the scene and looked at Erica’s fallen form. He easily saw that the girl was freezing to death, her skin turning to severe shade of blue. He looked upon her for several moments, curious about why she’d braved the storm. She was clearly unprepared for the massive change in the weather. The man knelt down by her side, turning the girl onto her back. Her breathing was very shallow, and Aubrey noted a couple of patches of frostbite forming on her skin. Her presence during such a terrible blizzard disturbed him, and he knew he had to keep her alive in order to get any answers to the questions on his mind.

At that moment, the man felt hate and menace rapidly approaching him. Though he could see no one in the near white out conditions, he didn’t have to see to know who was charging in his direction. He quickly flipped Erica onto her front, and pulled her up to her knees by the back of the coat. A split second later, a charging Darksong came into view, his blue eyes glowing with hate. The wolf saw Erica, and quickly acted to stop his momentum before he collided with the girl. The canine slid in the snow, stopping mere inches from the stricken Erica.

"Do not interfere!" the man called out over the storm.

The black beast snarled at his hated enemy. "Let her go, Alhazad!" he demanded. "Now!"

"Erica comes with me," the Demon Lord retorted. "End of discussion."

"She belongs with her family!" Darksong shot back heatedly. "Return her to Arctica at once!"

"Out of the question. She is in my care now," he asserted. "I shall decide her fate."

"No! I won’t let you destroy her as you did Elmina!"

The man leaned his face forward, his red eyes boring into the wolf’s mind. "If anyone has destroyed the lady, it is Garrett. He has taken her innocence, her integrity, he has even taken her life! And then he has the unmitigated gall to refer to himself as a hero! He is the very embodiment of human evil. Is it any wonder why Erica no longer desires to be associated with that worm."

The black wolf snarled viciously at Alhazad, but quickly relented when Erica was moved into his line of sight.

"Are you going to slaughter her in order to attack me," the dark figure asked the former Coldbird. "Are you truly as shallow and indecent as your successor? You know you cannot assist Erica as you are, so why do you continue to interfere?"

Darksong narrowed his blue eyes at the man, incensed at being reminded of his physical limitations. "You are not taking Erica!" he maintained. "She’s coming with me!"

The man lowered his chin at the canine. "I grow tired of your meddling, Coldbird. All you are accomplishing is sealing Erica’s fate even tighter. Would you like to be the one who has the unenviable task of informing Garrett and Elmina that their daughter is dead? And that you were the reason she perished."

"LIAR!!" the black beast shouted. "I’m trying to save her! You’re the one who’s trying to kill her!"

"Pathetic," Alhazad sneered at Darksong. "You never allowed your subordinates to resort to blame. Now you are indulging in it yourself? Are all you humans so fickle?"

"Stop," a weak voice said from nearby, "please… stop."

Darksong turned his head to Erica, The the demon lord also turned his head to see Erica’s almost frozen face, barely showing any signs of life. He knew that she was the one who had spoken. He gazed at her for several moments, then closed his crimson eyes. "The discussion is over," he said crisply. "I am taking Erica with me. Interference will not be tolerated."

Alhazad picked up Erica’s freezing body and held her in his arms. His own body glowed white, indicating that he was about to teleport from the area. Darksong quickly leaped into action and wrapped his forelegs around Alhazad’s left calf. He was tempted to use his fangs, but knew such an action would’ve resulted in very nasty repercussions. Alhazad changed into a sphere of light, which shrank down and vanished, taking Erica and Darksong with him.

Two minutes later, a figure walked through the storm, approaching the area where Alhazad once stood. It reached the area, only to find the Demon Lord was gone. "Shoot," it said to itself, "just missed ‘em. No matter, there’s no place on Filgaia where they can hide from me now." The figure chuckled, then continued through the storm.

Chapter Text

The area around Darksong was nothing more than bright ivory light, burning to the eyes. The light grew brighter, forcing the wolf to close his eyes. After a moment, he felt the light had vanished, so he opened his blue eyes.

He found himself within a large cavern, which was as still as a tomb. It was very dark inside, but his superior sight allowed him to see the inside of the cave. In the very center was a huge red pedestal, shaped like an obelisk, with a square base about three feet on each side. It was well over six feet high, with a huge brazier atop the pedestal.

"I do not recall giving you permission to follow me," a cold male voice spoke from above.

Darksong looked up and saw the humanoid form of Alhazad, still holding Erica and looking down upon him with brooding red eyes.

"I don’t care," the wolf defiantly replied. "I will protect Erica, so I’m not letting you out of my sight."

The man looked away with a disgusted gaze. "Do what you like," he said indifferently.

Darksong watched as his enemy gently placed Erica onto the ground. He straightened up, and walked over to the pedestal. He stretched out his right hand, and began chanting in an alien tongue, which was clearly not human. Suddenly, the brazier erupted in a huge burst of fire, illuminating the entire interior of the cavern. Darksong felt the cavern slowly warming up, and saw strange writing on the side of the pedestal. It was in a strange language, indecipherable to the canine. He looked around, and saw strange images painted onto the sides of the walls. He saw a red planet exploding amidst a starry background. His eyes then caught the image of a monstrous figure floating in space, leading a swarm of winged creatures from the dying world. The creature in the lead had a slug-like body, and a strangely human face. A veiled crown was worn on its brow. He had never seen the figure before with his own eyes, but he soon discerned its identity. "The Mother," he thought to himself. He looked further down the mural, and saw the image of a vibrant blue world. He knew well that it was Filgaia. The next image was that of four dark figures, standing in a four-corner pattern. Each wielded a black sword, and all of them were crossed together, signifying a form of pledge. "The Quarter Knights," Darksong thought, as he realized the import of the scene. Finally, he looked to the wall behind Alhazad, and saw the shadow of his true demonic self upon the side of the cave. Darksong looked behind him, and saw the shadow of his former self, Coldbird Renox, cast upon the wall. It brought back memories of his past life, which he hadn’t recalled for many years. The wolf whined sadly, seeing the image of the man he used to be.

Darksong looked back towards Alhazad, watching him walk back to Erica. The brooding figure peered down his nose at the fallen girl for several moments, giving no hint about his intentions. He pointed his right index finger at Erica. Darksong’s mouth dropped open as he saw the girl’s body rising into the air, guided by Alhazad’s finger. The young woman floated higher and higher until she was a full eight feet above the cave floor. The black wolf instinctively backed away, intimidated by his foe’s frighteningly casual display of power.

The canine watched Alhazad guiding Erica’s body towards the brazier, fearful of what the demon had in mind for the still-unconscious young woman. The girl stopped a couple of feet from the brazier, held in the air by Alhazad’s power. The estranged daughter of the Van Buraces hung motionless above the cave floor, as the man in lavender watched her intently. "Yes," he said eagerly, "let the red flames of Hyades warm your weary body and tormented soul, Erica Stampede."

"Her name is Erica Van Burace," Darksong asserted.

"Van Burace is a title," Alhazad replied without looking back towards the wolf. "The title given to the Hand Guard whose sworn duty is to protect the Sword." He glanced over his shoulder towards the large beast. "You should know that better than anyone, Coldbird."

Darksong growled at the man, incensed at being called by his former name.

"Who dares invade our sacred realm," a hissing voice asked from the shadows. Both Alhazad and Darksong turned to see a small group of blue winged demons emerging from the darkness in the back of the cave. A few gray bipeds with thin limbs were amongst them, as well as several huge gray skulls. Darksong slowly backed away, snarling at the monsters. He recognized them as the same kind of creatures that inhabited Arctica Castle after it fell to the demons so many years ago.

At that moment, the sound of hooves and turning wheels came from the back of the cave. The monsters parted as a horse-drawn chariot came into view, driven by an armored woman who held her decapitated head in her left hand, and held a deadly whip in her right. A red and white flag hung from the back of the chariot, which came to a stop by the monolith. The woman brought her head into view, and saw the man standing before the crimson monolith. She looked behind him, and saw the monstrous shadow he cast upon the wall. The monster let out a long hissing breath, recognizing the figure before her.

"Lord Alhazad," the creature spoke in a scratchy voice, "what… happened to your body?"

"Don’t ask," came the man’s reply.

The woman raised her severed head to see Erica, levitating by the crimson flame. "Master," she asked, "why have you brought a human into our sanctuary?"

"I have my reasons," Alhazad responded flatly.

Darksong tensely watched as his old enemy surveyed the demons before him. The wolf saw that they were in very poor shape. They appeared to be starving, tired, and broken. They looked like they had lost their will to live, let alone fight. The black beast was sure that Alhazad had reached the same conclusion. Darksong continued to growl at them, feeling no pity for the creatures who’d overrun his land years before.

"Are these all that remain," the Demon Lord asked the rider.

"Yes, my lord. Our numbers barely exceed a hundred. We have remained hidden here ever since we were driven out of Arctica." The demon’s expression grew grim, as it regarded its lord. "Master, our predicament is bleak. Famine and pestilence are decreasing our numbers by the day. I fear we are not long for this world. If nothing is done, we shall surely perish."

"Good," Darksong thought. "They deserve to die slowly, especially you, Alhazad."

The dark figure made no response, no indication whatsoever that he had heard him. He merely held his chin, seeming to be pondering the issue laid before him. The former Aubrey bowed his head for a moment, and clenched both his fists, bringing them up just beneath his face. Darksong heard a low growl from the madman, and felt his anger rising. The wolf couldn’t tell what his enemy was thinking, but he knew it had to be dire. He knew he couldn’t fight off all the demons in the cave, even in their pitiful state. He also knew rescuing Erica looked beyond his capabilities at the moment, for she hovered high above the ground, held in place by Alhazad’s power. The more he thought about it, the more hopeless the situation looked. He didn’t even know where they were at the moment. Darksong remembered the cold air he felt when they first arrived, and surmised that they were still somewhere in Arctica. He wanted to get outside in order to get a better idea of his present location. He looked about, and saw none of the demons were paying any attention to him. Moreover, Alhazad had his back to him, so he seemed unaware of his intentions. The great wolf discreetly headed for the exit, his paws barely making any audible sound as they lightly touched the cold cave floor.

"Where do you think you’re going," Alhazad voice asked from behind Darksong.

The beast stopped in place, knowing the demon was speaking to him. He let out an irritated growl, his fur bristling with aggravation. He realized he’d overlooked the fact that Alhazad was psychic, and didn’t need to hear or smell him to know where he was.

"Did you truly believe you could escape without my notice," the Demon Lord inquired.

Darksong snarled viciously, and turned to glare at his old enemy, his blue eyes actually glowing with hate.

The man calmly turned around, unfazed by the savage creature before him. "Neither you or the girl shall leave without my permission." He leaned forward towards the wolf, a cold, commanding expression on his pale face. "You are in my domain now, Coldbird. You shall do exactly as I command!"

"NEVEEEEERRRRRRR!!!" the wolf growled viciously, infuriated by his foe’s words. Lost in hate, he charged headlong for the man, intent on rending him asunder with his sharp fangs. As got within two yards of Alhazad, the dark figure pointed his finger at the beast, and the wolf was suddenly frozen in place unable to move. He snarled hatefully, struggling to free himself of the invisible force that had bound him without warning.

"Down, boy!" Alhazad demanded. "I am your master now!"

"Jack will find you," Darksong shot back in a rasping, tearing voice. "He will kill you! And if he doesn’t kill you, I will!"

"Unlikely," came the demon’s casual response. He turned back to the rider behind him. "Keep that mutt under strict supervision," he told the monster. "Make sure he does not escape."

"Yes, Master," the creature replied. "But what of the girl?"

"I shall attend to her once she wakes. I have many questions to ask of her. Take that creature into the back of the cave," he continued, pointing behind him towards Darksong. "It defiles this place with its foul presence."

"Yes, Master."

Darksong barked loudly at the man, livid at being called foul, especially by someone who he felt embodied the word. Alhazad flicked his finger, and the wolf’s body stumbled a bit. The canine felt the force that bound him had been dispelled. He panted heavily, trying to regain his bearings. When he did, he saw the headless rider approaching him. Darksong slowly backed away, growling at the inhuman creature.

"Move, beast," the monster spoke in its hissing voice. "Do as the Master commands!"

The wolf barked in protest, but quickly jumped back when the armored woman cracked her whip menacingly in his direction. He heard more hissing from behind him. He turned and saw several demons had blocked the exit, and were eyeing him with hungry, desperate expressions. He tried barking at them, trying to hide his fear. However, he soon saw that he was surrounded, with no place to go.

"I hope you now realize how futile it is to resist," Alhazad said, not looking in the beast’s direction. "If you ever want to see your dear Erica again, I suggest you start obeying me." The man clasped his hands behind his back. "Although, I cannot honestly ascertain whether she will be overly pleased to see you again. After all, you were a part of Garrett’s little conspiracy, and you were so obsessed with protecting the secrets sealed within that chamber, that you even attempted to murder Erica’s first love before her very eyes."

"I’d do it again if I ever get the chance!" the wolf snapped defiantly.

Alhazad glanced over his shoulder, a dark scowl on his face. "This is precisely the type of corruption that led to Arctica’s downfall in the first place, and it shall fall once more, and soon all of Filgaia shall follow suit."

"Who are you to judge us, monster?"

The rider snapped her whip once again, interrupting the beast. "Silence!" it said sharply. "Away with you, mongrel!" It snapped its whip once more, striking ever so closer to Darksong.

The black wolf snarled at the monster, and began to head for the back. He saw no feasible alternative at the moment, so he reluctantly decided to follow their directions for the moment. He stopped as he passed Alhazad, giving him a deadly glare. "Alhazad," he grumbled under his breath, "once the others find this place, I will kill you." The wolf continued towards the back of the cave, despising the thought of being near his old killer any longer.

The streets of Arctica had become deserted, as the vicious snowstorm had driven everyone into the safety of their homes. However, even in the confines of their homes, no one felt truly safe. The monstrous apparition that had appeared over the horizon before the blizzard hit had everyone in Arctica trembling in mortal terror, as the storm continued to rage throughout the city.

The scene was no less hectic at the Van Burace house. The unforeseen blizzard had taken them off-guard, and they had to act quickly to seal up the house, especially board up the window Darksong had jumped through when he escaped from Alhazad earlier in the day. And with the storm showing no signs of relenting, along with the injuries to both Jack and Elmina, they had no chance of pursuing either Alhazad or Erica.

Rudy was working hard inside the house, nailing in the last board over the window to keep the storm out. It had been a bad day to start, and had only gotten worse. The castle restoration project had been cancelled; the people were beginning to riot; the discovery of Alhazad amongst them all along; and then the merciless blizzard that had crippled the city. It was one of the worst days in Rudy’s life, and the worst for Arctica since its' nigh complete annihilation fourteen years ago. It almost seemed like history was repeating itself, which truly bothered the Holmcross. Trying hard to keep from being discouraged, Rudy hammered in the last nail, effectively sealing up the broken window. He stopped to wipe his sweaty brow, relieved that his task was complete.

"Geez!" a voice exclaimed from behind him. "Look at all this mess! Elmina will freak out if she sees this!"

Rudy turned to see Jack coming downstairs, supported by a simple cane. He also saw Cecilia coming behind him, and that the living room was covered with a good couple of inches of snow. "Sorry Jack," Rudy said sheepishly, his eyes forming red semi-circles. "Worked as fast as I could."

"I amazed you were able to work with that typhoon blowing into the house," Hanpan commented, poking his head out of Jack’s pocket. "Heh, haven’t seen a storm like this in years."

"Years," Jack asked his partner. "There’s never been a storm like this. Since when does thunder and lightning happen in a snowstorm?"

"It doesn’t happen, Jack. It’s physically impossible."

"Tell that to Alhazad," the swordsman grumbled. "He’s scared. He knows we can take him out, so he’s trying to keep us from following him. But once this storm blows over, he’s dead meat."

"Jack Van Burace," Cecilia began sharply, "you are not leaving this house and that’s final!"

"Just try and stop me, Princess!" Jack shot back, pointing his cane at Cecilia. "Bad leg or not, I will destroy him! I’ll never forgive him for what he’s done to my family! Once I’m finished with that bastard, he’s gonna be on his hands and knees, pleading for a chance to undo what he’s wrought!"

"Get a grip, Jack," Hanpan quipped. "You’re not gonna beat him at his own game."

"I don’t care. I’m gonna tear him apart, piece by piece, so he can feel the kind of pain he’s inflicted upon us for so long!" His face was twisted with hate and anger, showing almost no sign of reasonability. "If he lays one finger on Erica, so help me, Guardians, I’ll-"

"Enough!" Cecilia called out. "Elmina won’t thank you if you get yourself killed." The mage paused for a moment, realizing that her old comrade didn’t fear death. An even more horrible possibility came to her, which she saw as becoming too real. "Or if you become just like him," she spoke.

"Ha! You can’t possibly sink that low," the swordsman said tartly. "Give me some credit, Cecilia. I have much more decency than that."

The blonde woman sighed gravely, seeing that Jack wasn’t listening to her warnings. She lightly shook her head, and turned her thoughts to another subject that disturbed her. "Jack," she began again, "where did you locate Harken’s armaments? I thought they’d disappeared with her."

The elder Van Burace groaned, a bit disturbed by the mere mention of the armor, but relieved that Cecilia wasn’t talking about morality any longer. "So did I," he spoke, looking off to the side. " But a little over a year ago, when Elmina was at home taking care of Alician, one of my co-workers told me he’d found something strange in the bunker. I went down there with him, and I’ll tell ya, my heart fell into my boots when I saw that thing, lying right in the same spot Harken died. Everything was there: the armor, the cape, the gauntlets, the boots, Asrael… even her underwear." He bowed his head, quite embarrassed to reveal the last fact to Cecilia.

Cecilia winced, shocked by what she’d heard.

"It seemed to be an omen," Jack continued, "an omen that Alhazad was coming back, that he was gonna pick up right where he left off, that he was gonna make Elmina his slave once again." The swordsman was trembling as he went on, remembering that dark day. "I couldn’t let that happen! So late that night, Rudy and I snuck back into the castle, gathered up the armor, and hid it under the house." He let out a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, Elmina found out. She was still up when we came back to the house that night. I can still recall the look of horror on her face when she saw that freakin’ thing. Poor Elmina… she fainted right there on the spot." Jack sniffled a bit, his hatred partially giving way to sadness. "Now that I think about it, that was about the time that the rumors started. People began saying that the castle was haunted. The project began falling behind schedule because of it. People began doubting us, questioning us, questioning our purpose." He growled in obvious frustration. "All because of that… piece of crap in the basement! And now, it’s all come true. Alhazad is back, and he is picking up right where we left off. Only now, he’s dragged Erica into it, too!" He growled more viciously, shaking his fist in anger. "Have we won anything?!" he asked aloud, spreading his arms out wide. "Is this guy gonna torture us for the rest of our lives?"

Cecilia lightly shook her head, a steely look in her brown eyes. "No, Jack," she said. "I won’t let him terrorize this land again. I think he’s made it crystal clear that he will never mend his ways. Bringing him back was a grievous error in judgment." The mage folded her slender arms under her chest, her face still determined, yet pensive as well. "But this armor. Why did it reappear? Did the Guardians know about this? And if they did, why did Justine revive Alhazad? Just what is going on here?"

"That’s what I want to know," Jack coldly replied. "We go through all that suffering, all that turmoil, and then that stupid ingrate Justine lets him out of Hell. And look what’s happened." The swordsman clenched his cane even tighter. He hated to admit how powerless he felt at the moment. He looked out the good window, and saw that the blizzard was so intense, it was impossible to even look across the street.

Rudy looked to his fellow Dream Chasers, knowing the discouragement they felt. He was also quite discouraged, seeing how their lives had been thrown into chaos over the past couple of days. He looked out the window, and saw a near solid sheet of white. He’d never seen such a ferocious snowstorm before, and knew it couldn’t have been a coincidence, for it struck right after Alhazad escaped them. He also knew that Erica was still out there, as well as Darksong. Finally, he pushed his doubts aside, and looked back to the others. "Jack, Cecilia," he began, "I’ll go look for Erica."

"Are you nuts," Hanpan shot back. "It’s madness to go out there."

"I’ve got the best chance of anyone of surviving in that storm. Erica and Darksong certainly won’t if they’re not found. Remember, the cold doesn’t bother me, unlike most people. I’ll be fine."

"Rudy," Cecilia said softly, knowing well what the young man meant. She’d known for years that the ARMS meister was actually a Holmcross, a living machine originally designed for mass murder, but was saved from his cruel fate by the gentle teachings of Zepet Roughknight, his adoptive grandfather. Cecilia was there when Rudy discovered his true nature, remembering the dread he felt. He originally wanted to give up, but the Innocent One led him out of depression, encouraging him to fight by their side once again. She knew Rudy had overcome his shock, and grew to accept his nature, and live peacefully in spite of it. She only wished to be the one who Rudy loved more than anyone else, which was how she learned she still felt about him. It pained her not to have him, more than any physical pain she’d ever endured during the war against the demons.

Rudy backed off a bit, knowing what the mage was saying without speaking a word. He’d always felt a bit guilty that he’d unintentionally refused Cecilia’s love. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but the look in her eyes told him that it was the case. His heart became troubled, as his emotions began conflicting with one another. He wanted to apologize for rejecting her, but wasn’t sure if the blonde woman would’ve believed him. His face winced in anguish, almost forgetting his original plan. Finally, after many moments, he regained his composure and looked at Cecilia. "Don’t worry, Cecilia," he started, trying to reassure the princess. "I’ll be right back."

Cecilia bowed her head for a moment, believing that Rudy planned to keep his promise, but was still worried nonetheless. She slowly walked up to him, and placed her slender hand on his shoulder. She raised her face into Rudy’s troubled red eyes. "Rudy, please, be careful. I…" She couldn’t find the words to express any further, for it took a great deal of courage just to touch the man she loved once again.

Rudy breathed a little heavier, trying to remain calm in the face of Cecilia’s affection. "I know," he said, placing his hand over her own. He took her hand and gently clasped it between his own hands. "And I will. Thank you… Cecilia."

The young woman was truly touched that her affections had been returned. She’d waited many lonely years for it, and knew it was definitely worth it. She gave him a warm smile, one she hadn’t worn in a long time. "Your welcome," she said sweetly. She slid her hand out, reached forth and wrapped her arms around Rudy’s body, laying her head on his shoulder. She felt Rudy freeze for a moment, seemingly startled by her actions, and then she felt his arms wrapping around her. Cecilia held him for many moments, not wanting to let go for anything.

Jack watched the scene from the bottom of the stairwell. "About dang time," he stated.

"You think," Hanpan asked.

"Yeah, I half expected him to go running back to her after he found what Lilly was really like. He’s usually better than that. What hold did that dumb girl have on him?"

"I guess we’ll never know now. That secret died with her."

Finally, Rudy lightly disengaged himself from Cecilia’s embrace. He didn’t want to let go, either, but he knew that innocent lives were at stake. "I have to go now," he said, a twinge of sadness in his voice, "but I will return. I promise."

The shaman woman sighed sadly, wanting badly for him to remain, but knowing that only he could’ve withstood the relentless storm blowing through the city. "Please hurry," she said quietly. "I… don’t want to lose you again."

"It’ll be okay," the man said back. "One way or another, it’ll all be okay." He turned around towards the door. "Might need your help to close this door after me," he said over his shoulder.

"Sure thing, Rudy."

Rudy opened the front door, and the fierce blizzard began blowing into the house. He shielded his face his with arm, and proceeded outside. Cecilia immediately went to the door, pushing on it as Rudy was pulling it shut from the outside. It required a lot of exertion from both of them to close the door, but not before allowing more snow into the house. Cecilia pressed her body against the door, silently praying for Rudy’ return, as well as the return of Erica and Darksong. However, Rudy was first and foremost on her mind, and she wouldn’t deny it any longer. "Take care," she said softly, "my love."

Chapter Text

In another dimension that existed outside of Filgaia, the Guardians were all gathered together, overseeing the events of the planet. The events occurring in Arctica disturbed them greatly. The vile demon Alhazad, who had almost slain them all with his most diabolical creation, the Darkness Tear, had returned to life. Even more disturbing was the fact that the act had been perpetrated by one of their own. The Guardian Lord of Courage, Justine, had resurrected Alhazad to right what he had wronged in his previous life. However, it seemed that the demon had brazenly defied him, and caused chaos within the kingdom he once destroyed.

In the heart of the Guardian’s domain, a mighty silver dragon with four wings stood solemnly. He had a grave and somewhat anxious look on his face, as if waiting for something to happen. A couple of seconds later, three figures materialized before him, all very familiar to the ancient beast. He recognized them as his fellow Guardians, Raftina and Dan Dairam, and the immobilized form of Justine.

Raftina stepped forward to face the mighty dragon. "Lord Zephyr," she said reverently, bowing her head towards the Guardian Lord of Hope, "we have apprehended Justine and brought him before you, as you ordered."

"Well done, Raftina," the Guardian spoke in its booming voice. "Now we may finally glean some insight as to what is truly transpiring among us. Dan Dairam, release him."

"Yes, my lord," the Guardian of Time replied, and waved his paw beside Justine. The lion-like beast lurched forward, finally free of the temporal stasis imposed on him by Dan Dairam.

The Guardian of Courage looked about, trying to regain his bearings. It didn’t take him long to realize exactly where he was, and who was around him. He glared at the silver dragon before him. "Zephyr!" he started indignantly. "Why have you brought me here?! I haven’t time for any interruptions now, I have much to do on Filgaia!"

"You have done more than your fair share, Justine," Zephyr countered, not amused by the disrespectful tone he’d received from his fellow Guardian. "Releasing that demon has only succeeded in causing more suffering to that beleaguered land."

"If he had obeyed me, that would not have occurred!" Justine defiantly shot back.

"Really," the Guardian Lord of Hope remarked, narrowing his reptilian eyes at the lion. "Did you truly believe that you could control such a monstrosity? Have you forgotten that it was those warriors you brought you back to Filgaia? And you reward them by reviving their worst enemy, the one who had caused them so much anguish in the first place? What were you thinking, Justine?"

"I don’t have to explain myself to the likes of you, Zephyr!" Justine snapped. "That vile demon disobeyed me, and I am going to destroy him!"

"You know that is not our way, Justine," the dragon pointed out. "We are protectors, not destroyers. And what is this I hear about you threatening our chosen shaman? Was it you who attempted to prevent her from reaching Arctica?"

"That was not her concern! She shouldn’t have interfered with my plans. They would’ve worked without her assistance!"

"That does not justify raising your hand against her. Your actions are bordering on treason, Justine. Why have you chosen this course, my brother? It does nothing to further your cause."

"Silence!" Justine shouted in anger. "I grow tired of this meaningless banter! I am leaving for Filgaia, with or without your consent!"

"What has happened to you," Zephyr asked, shocked by the change in the Guardian Lord’s demeanor. "This is not the Justine I once knew."

"Your are correct, Zephyr," a powerful voice spoke from the shadows. "His desires are not his own."

Everyone turned to see a familiar black wolf emerging out of the darkness. Bony spikes protruded from its neck, almost in a collar fashion. Purple, pink, and blue ‘flames’ appeared to be radiating off of her fur.

"Luceid!" Zephyr exclaimed, surprised to see the Guardian of Desire again. "What are you doing here?"

"I have also been observing the current crisis, Zephyr, and what I’ve witnessed has disturbed me. Much of the crisis has been attributed to that demon Justine so foolishly released, and yet, there are events that were not his doing, yet they were also attributed to him as well."

"What do you mean," the dragon asked.

"Those apparitions that appeared over the Inner Sea and Arctica were not the work of his hand. He has always worked in secret, planning his moves well in advance, and never announcing his presence, not until it is too late. Much of the chaos is highly uncharacteristic of him. I have been around him enough to realize this."

"Yes, I wondered about that. As you said, he never announces his presence. It would undermine the purpose for which he was revived."

"Was that ever the real purpose for his return?" Luceid turned her head to face the Guardian of Courage. "Justine," she asked in a slightly mocking tone. "Would you care to enlighten us as to real reason he was called back from the underworld?"

"Be silent, traitor!" Justine snapped at the wolf. "You abandoned our cause and assisted the demons! You no longer have any place among us!"

"I do not believe you are in any position to judge, Justine," Zephyr commented flatly. "And what you do mean, his desires are not his own, Luceid?"

"I’m surprised you didn’t discern it sooner, Zephyr," the Guardian of Desire replied. "Couldn’t you tell that Justine was under the influence of another?"

"What?!"

"You’re not serious!" Raftina declared. "Who on Filgaia, or anywhere else, has the power to control a Guardian Lord?"

"NOOOOO!!!!!" Justine roared in rage, drawing his sword. "NO ONE MUST INTERFERE WITH THE DESIGN!! YOU ARE ALL SENTENCED TO DEATH!!"

"I think not," Zephyr replied, sensing the force controlling Justine for the first time. He knew whatever or whoever was controlling the Guardian Lord was becoming desperate, and had to act fast in order to save Justine, and the others. He raised his claws overhead in an imposing manner.

A ‘window’ formed around Justine, with trailing smoke around the edges, inside it showed a man- or what looked like a man- over top of Justine. As if inravling and showing who was actually controlling the Guardian’s actions- there was some kind of spirit inside him. It looked like a man-but it wasn’t a real man, something was off about it. But he had pale skin, blonde hair, and sharp blue eyes.

“ I See.” Said Dan Dairam, “ So you’re the one controlling him. How could a human so such a thing?”

“ Because that isn’t any ordinary human.” Said Zephyr. “ He isn’t from this realm..” The dragon held the possessed Justine in place. “ Who brought you here? Where did you come from? Who is your master?”

“ I’ll never tell you.” The man inside Justine snarled. “ This world is unjust. You pagan heathen gods are no match for us, we will rule this world and take your place. My master knows best.”

“ Then why on earth did you revive Alhazad?”

The creature inside the lion hissed. “ My Lord has his reasons.”

“ Alhazad was a distraction- a scape goat?!” Raftina gasped to herself stating what she feared to be true. Her graceful hands over her mouth. Horrified by the sudden turn of events- it only seamed to be getting worse. They weren’t just dealing with Alhazad. But a far more dangerous foe.

Luceid leaped on top of the frozen and possessed Justine, locking her fangs around the neck of the creature inside him, ripping through the illusion of the Guardian’s form. “ I won’t kill you- but I will make you wish you were dead..” Her voice boomed, squeezing her jaws around his neck. “ This will be very painful until you answer our questions.”

“ Now you’re the one acting like Alhazad—” she squeezed harder at the comment. “ You joined the demons before- you’ll go back. None of you can help yourselves—”- the little man screamed in pain as she begain crushing what was his ‘bones’ under her weight- “ Alhazad had already had plans to revive himself!!” the not-so-human man rasped. “ My master was able to see that. But we merely pulled him out of his slumber and aided in his revival because we needed someone to distract you, to cause a scene to create chaos so the humans of Filgaia will lose faith in you! Because you couldn’t stop it! Only my master can save them!! Using Alhazad as a pawn, he will make the humans lose faith in you vile pagan Guardians, then my master will rule over and save this land. Making it holy again!”

Zephry gently nudged Luceid, commanding her that she should let him go. “ I’ve heard enough.” He said heavily, an with mighty claws the dragon pulled the homunculus out of his brother’s body and cast it to the side, Dan Dairam acted quickly- knowing what to do with the vile creature. The cat man chanted a few words; opening a portal.

“ May you return peacefully from where you were once created.” The black cat said calmly. “ And suffer no more.”

“ NO!!!” the little man screamed.

“ May your ‘Master’ have mercy on you.” Luceid spat at him. Fearing that she too knew of what and were this creature came from.. The unknown entity shrieked like a banshee as the combined might of the four Guardians zeroed in on it. It let out one final high-pitched shriek, and then it vanished, causing Justine to collapse onto the floor.

The body of the Guardian of Courage laid prone for several seconds, making no sign of movement. Then, Justine groaned wearily, as he began to regain consciousness. "What… what happened," he asked, still woozy from the experience.

"Justine!" Zephyr called out urgently, sensing the presence within his fellow Guardian was gone.

The weary Guardian raised his feral head, and looked up to the silver dragon before him. "L… Lord Zephyr," he began. "What… happened to me?"

"You don’t remember," Raftina asked curiously, walking forward to help Justine off the floor.

The huge lion-like creature shakily rose to his feet, trying to recollect what had transpired over the past few days. "No. I can’t remember anything."

"It appears that you were being manipulated by another," Luceid explained, "forced to act against your bidding, even against your very nature."

Justine gasped, and turned to see the Guardian of Desire. "Luceid!" he said in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"I have my own part to play in this conflict. I have seen many disturbing things, but the most disturbing is hovering over Arctica Castle as we speak."

Zephyr immediately opened a viewing portal to look over Arctica. He saw a dimensional chamber over the castle, unable to be seen by the human eye. It was one he hadn’t seen but had heard of, and the homunculus’ ramblings were correct. While Zephry never met the little man’s “Master” he hard heard the stories and he knew them well, and what it meant. "By Filgaia," he uttered in horror. "It’s him."

Chapter Text

The blinding snowstorm that had so suddenly descended upon the area of Arctica continued to rage on, showing no signs of relenting. The wind-driven snow formed an almost impenetrable sheet of white, making it all but impossible for anyone to see ahead of them, let alone travel effectively. The ferocious blizzard was far worse than anything that had ever befallen Arctica, even during the time when the demons overtook it during the war.

As the storm continued to bombard Arctica, a lone figure bravely made his way through the snow, covering his face with his left bracer. His blue hair and red headband blew back wildly from the near hurricane force winds about him. He continued onwards, undaunted by the occasional crackle of lightning about him, a phenomenon he knew was clearly unnatural. Driven on by his selfless desires, he went forth into the storm.

Rudy had been searching for Erica and Darksong for quite some time. He wasn’t sure how long, since the black clouds above the region obscured the sun from sight. Before the storm had hit, he believed it was sometime in the mid to late morning. However, since the unforeseen blizzard had appeared, it became almost impossible to tell time. In spite of that, he continued on through the snow, determined to find his missing friends.

The Holmcross proceeded for many more minutes through the storm that would’ve immobilized and eventually killed an ordinary person, Rudy was sure of that. He found no trace of Erica and Darksong, but that didn’t stop his search. He didn’t plan to return until he’d found the missing girl and the family pet. As he went on, his red eyes picked out another figure, headed in the opposite direction as him. He gasped in shock, surprised to see someone else out in such a merciless blizzard. He stopped his search for a moment, and put his hands near his mouth. “HEEEEEYYYYYY!!” he shouted, hoping the figure heard him. “HAVE YOU SEEN A YOUNG GIRL OUT HERE???”

The figure stopped in mid-step, and seemed to look in Rudy’s direction. The storm obscured Rudy’s sight, so he couldn’t see the individual clearly. The figure continued on its way, increasing its pace, almost unfazed by the storm.
“HEEEEYYYYYY!!!” Rudy shouted over the storm. “WHERE ARE YOU GOIIIIIINNNNGGGG!!!”

The figure hastened its way through the snowstorm, clearly ignoring the young man’s call. It somewhat disturbed Rudy, but he was more concerned about where the person was headed. “Shoot,” he said to himself, “that person’s going towards Arctica. But why?” Something inside Rudy told him to follow the stranger, and he soon followed suit, turning around to pursue the figure. As he did, he felt a strong gust blowing against him. It almost seemed like the elements were conspiring to prevent Rudy from following the mysterious person. He quickly dismissed the idea as ridiculous, and continued forth through the blinding storm.

Lana Seifer checked over the unconscious Elmina, who lied in her bed. The doctor was horrified at the hideous injury her old friend had suffered so recently, and amazed that Cecilia, whom she’d only just met a couple of hours ago, had healed it all but completely. The events in the secret basement brought back painful memories of the war.

She remembered how her mother was growing gravely ill, for the brutal Arctican climate was killing her. Her father had no choice but to move the family away from their old home, to the more moderate weather of Saint Centour. It pained her to say goodbye to her old family friends, specifically the Stampedes, as they were called back then. One week later, the Seifers heard the terrible news that Arctica had been destroyed. It was one of the worst times in Lana’s life. She feared that all of her old friends in Arctica were dead, including Garrett, Elmina, and even young Erica. The demons had apparently spared no one in their ruthless assault.

After that, the Seifers continued in their medical practice, picking up right where they off in Arctica. Years later, they’d heard that Adlehyde had been besieged by the demons, with several casualties. Lana went to the city personally, seeking to assist the wounded. The time in Adlehyde took longer than she had anticipated, mostly because of conflict with the city’s resident doctor, who seemed to have little to no skill in his craft. By the time she did return to Saint Centour, she’d found the city in ruins, all but one person dead. It was then that she met Garrett again, who insisted on being called Jack Van Burace. The swordsman privately confided in her that the same demon that destroyed Arctica was responsible for the demise of Saint Centour. Lana was crushed yet again, knowing that her parents were dead, for they were in the city when the demons attacked.

Lana spent the next few weeks attempting to pick up the broken pieces of her life. She constantly prayed to the Guardians to stop the Metal Demons before they overthrew Filgaia. One day, while she was praying, no less, a black light rained down from the heavens, causing nature itself to go haywire. The earth cracked under her temporary home, and she had to scamper in order to get out. She was badly bruised by the collapsing house, and barely escaped before it fell into the cracked earth. Once again, she learned that it was the work of the same demon that had masterminded the attacks on Arctica and Saint Centour, Alhazad.

It was almost the final straw for the young woman. She was just about to give up hope when Jack and the others came back from the demon’s castle. Jack left his daughter in her care, hoping it would take her mind off of her despair, while they went forth to end the war at last. A few days later, the world became covered in darkness once again, and it seemed to be the end of everything. And then, just as soon as it happened, a huge aura of light, encompassing everything within sight, appeared over the world, banishing away the darkness. Lana knew the Guardians had finally come through to banish the evil that had plagued the world for so long. Finally, she believed, her lost loved ones could’ve rested in peace at long last.

Some time later, Jack and the others came back with even better news. They had found Elmina, alive and well in the Milama pub. Lana was almost in tears to see Elmina again. She believed the esteemed Sword Princess of Arctica had perished when the kingdom fell. Even though Elmina had amnesia at the time, Lana was just happy that her old friend was alive. She looked like she virtually hadn’t aged during her long absence, and by looking at her physique, one could’ve never guessed that she’d ever had any children in her life. Lana wanted to know what became of her, but Jack refused to tell her. She asked him many times afterwords, but without any success. She was a bit perturbed by the swordsman’s silence, but over time, she let it pass.

The years went on, and Arctica had finally been rebuilt, save for the castle. Lana even set up her own clinic in town, as her father did long ago. Everything seemed to be back to normal, until the castle unexpectedly collapsed, injuring more than twenty people, including Jack. Many of the workers didn’t want to return to the castle, fearing the rumors that the old palace was haunted. Some spoke of demons returning to the land, seeking their revenge. It brought back painful memories of when Arctica was demolished over a decade before. It was a hard time for the doctor, but the hardest times were yet to come.

The following day, Mayor Walker made a public announcement in the town square that the castle restoration project was cancelled. She was greatly discouraged, while the Van Buraces were irate over the decision. Then, Sheriff Donaldson asked them to come to the station, where he imparted even more disturbing news. One of the city’s more controversial figures, Lilly Thornwood, was murdered, and the culprit was supposedly a demon, who also destroyed the castle, according to eyewitnesses. This infuriated Jack and Elmina to no end, and the Sword Princess instantly knew that the alleged demon was none other than her arch nemesis, Alhazad.

The group quickly returned to their home, and was shocked to see that Alhazad had opened up the sub-basement, a place Jack and Elmina had gone to great lengths to secure. They descended into the secret room, and Lana was shocked to find Erica defending the demon. Moreover, she lashed out verbally against her mother, accusing her of treason. She had just discovered that Elmina hadn’t perished during the first Arctican assault; she had become their old enemy, Lady Harken. And Erica had found the demoness’ old armor, indicating it as evidence. Lana was appalled at the news, horrified to think that one of her family’s oldest friends was fighting for the demons, that she was assisting the same demon that had destroyed virtually everything and everyone she once loved. She was crushed when she learned of Elmina’s secret, and saw the reality of her dark side. Moreover, Jack had hidden the armor, and the truth, for seemingly a very long time. The doctor was livid at the swordsman for his deception, and even more irate at Elmina for betraying her trust. Nothing seemed real any longer, and were it not for the injuries suffered by the Van Buraces, she wasn’t sure what she would’ve done.

“Oh Elmina,” the doctor said sadly, a haunted look in her brown eyes, “say it isn’t so. You had such a wonderful life. Why throw it all away?” The woman sobbed for a moment, saddened that someone as noble and upright as Elmina Nietee had ever turned to darkness, choosing power and glory over love and justice. The whole day’s events defied her understanding, and it required a great deal of mental fortitude to keep her from going over the edge.

After a couple of moments, she composed herself, and brought her hands together in prayer. “Oh Guardians of Filgaia,” she began tearfully, “I don’t know what to believe any more. I… I don’t know whom to trust. I can’t believe Elmina was fighting for those… monsters. Is there any hope for us, Guardians? Will we ever know real peace, or was all this nothing more than a temporary respite from chaos?” Lana Seifer let out a long, mournful sigh. “I just want an end to this madness, Guardians. I don’t want to lose everything all over again. I don’t know if I can bear all that grief a second time. Please have mercy on us, noble Guardians, and bring us back into the light once more. Amen.” Once she was finished, the doctor rose from Elmina’s bedside and made her way out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Jack was kneeling by the hearth, attempting the start a fire, which was badly needed at the moment. The house was deathly cold, much more than it had been in recent times. Were it not for the carnage earlier in the day, the swordsman would’ve been glad that his ailing son had gotten out of Arctica before the blizzard struck. However, the only thing on the weary hero’s mind was his archenemy, Alhazad. The demon had left the castle in ruins, brought the kingdom to its knees in terror, and had even turned Jack’s own daughter against him, much like he did to Elmina years ago. Erica had run away, apparently pursuing the fiend that had deceived and then heartlessly forsaken her. The elder Van Burace couldn’t understand why his only daughter was so enamored by the man, even after she had learned his true identity. He vowed to find his foe and expose his true form before Erica, certain that it would’ve made her overcome any affection she still had for the scoundrel. Unfortunately, Jack’s leg was still injured, and was strongly advised against leaving the house to pursue the madman. Thus, the knight maintained a sullen silence as he struggled with the snow-covered wood in the hearth.

Around that time, Cecilia came up behind him, watching his efforts to light the fireplace. Ever since Rudy left some time ago, she had been sweeping up the snow on the floor, and brushing it off the furniture. The living room a lot better than it had earlier in the day, when the snowstorm hit without any warning. Still, the sting of Alhazad’s treachery continued to linger about the house, and within the hearts of its occupants. Cecilia was quite frustrated about the recent turn of events, and it seemed unlikely that the demon was even in Arctica any longer. Since they all knew he was alive, it would’ve been dangerous for him to remain, so he had left Arctica in turmoil, and had apparently created a huge blizzard to prevent the Dream Chasers from following him. The demon’s unabashed arrogance and outright contempt for the Guardians was sorely testing Cecilia’s patience, inciting a rage within her that she hadn’t felt in many years. “Alhazad,” she said under her breath, “you have gone too far this time. There shall be no forgiveness for your abominable soul, either in this world, or the next one.”

The blonde mage knelt by the fireplace, and saw Jack’s progress, or rather his lack thereof. She saw that the logs were too snow-covered to be ignited by conventional means. And although she was against using her magic for such trivial matters, she knew the house was becoming unbearably cold, more than a lot of people could’ve withstood. And the relentless snowstorm outside was only exacerbating the problem. Finally, she produced her Princess Rod, and aimed it at the hearth. “FLAME!!” she shouted, as a sphere of white light encircled her. Two streams of fireballs, circling around one another like a helix, shot from her wand. Cecilia used her will to pull back the flames slightly, so she wouldn’t unleash the full effect of the spell. The fireballs quickly melted the snow, creating a small fiery explosion within the hearth.

“Whoa!” Jack exclaimed, falling back onto his keyster. Such actions were uncharacteristic of the princess, for he had never seen her use her magic outside of a battle, and usually a serious one. When he looked again, the logs were burning adequately, something he knew he couldn’t have done with his flint and lighter alone. He gave the mage a rather exasperated look. “Geez, Princess, ya tryin’ to give me a heart attack or something?”

“Sorry,” Cecilia replied, her eyes changing into upwards semicircles. “I was trying to use low power there.”

“Sheesh, I’d almost forgotten how powerful your magic was, Cecilia,” the swordsman remarked, rubbing the back of his head. “You could’ve warned me there.”

“It’s alright, Jack. At least now, we’ll have a warm house again.”

“I guess.” Jack warily got to his feet, using his cane for support. The whole demonstration was a bit extravagant for his taste, and he shook his head ruefully.

The sound of footsteps came from the stairwell beside them. Both Jack and Cecilia looked to see Doctor Seifer descending the stairs, a grave look on her face.

“Any change, Doc,” the knight called out, walking over to his old friend.

“I’m afraid not,” the doctor replied. “She’s still in a coma. I can’t tell when she’ll awaken.”

“She has to awaken!” Jack said urgently. “I almost lost her once, I ain’t gonna lose her again!”

“Get a grip, Jack,” Hanpan remarked, perturbed yet very knowledgeable with his partner’s outbursts. “She’ll be fine. You’re the one who worries me.”

“Hey, I ain’t no cripple. No bad leg’s gonna stop me. I’m gonna find that monster. And I’m gonna kill him.”

“Excuse me,” Cecilia asked firmly, turning to face the warrior. “Didn’t we already discuss this? You cannot, you will not, fight that fiend in your condition.”

“I agree with Cecilia,” Lana added. “Garrett, you’ll never make it in that storm, either. You run the risk of permanently damaging that leg, not to mention freezing to death.” The doctor walked close to Jack, and placed her hands on the swordsman’s shoulders. “Garrett, I’ve lost too many loved ones already. I don’t want to lose you as well. If you pursue Alhazad now, you may very well die.”

“I will not die,” Jack asserted, shaking off his old friends’ touch. “I’ve worked too long at this stinkin’ thing to have that slime ruin it all over again! I am Jack Van Burace, I have real courage, I have the Absolute Power, and I’ll use it to carve out his black heart!” he shouted, angrier than Lana had ever seen him. “Even if he even has one. The only good Alhazad is a dead one!”

The doctor slowly backed away from Jack, the man she thought she knew. She’d always known him to be stubborn, but she was witnessing a fanaticism that she hadn’t seen in any other man. “You’re insane,” she uttered, becoming fearful of the war hero.

“Stop this, Jack!” Cecilia said sharply, coming over and taking hold of the warrior’s arm. “Stop this right now. No one will thank you if you get yourself killed! Especially Elmina.”

“I don’t care,” the swordsman replied. “I DON’T CARE!! He’s destroyed our lives, ALL OVER AGAIN!! HE LOVES MAKING PEOPLE SUFFER!! IT’S ALL ONE BIG GAME TO HIM!! AND I’M NOT GONNA STAND FOR IT ANYMORE!! I WILL DESTROY HIM COMPLETELY, IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!!!”

“It just might be,” Hanpan said to himself. “Guardians, deliver us.”

Elmina’s room remained quiet, save for the howling storm outside her window. The warrior remained unconscious in her bed, her only movements being the rising and falling of her chest from her breathing. She’d barely survived Alhazad’s magical assault, and even though Cecilia was quick enough to save her life, the Sword Princess passed out from the attack, falling into a deep sleep.

Some time had passed since that episode in the sub-basement, and Elmina softly groaned. Her shoulder slightly moved, signifying that she was slowly regaining consciousness. “No,” she said weakly, stirring in her sleep. “Garrett… Erica… no!”

Suddenly, the breaking of glass came within the room, and the Sword Princess abruptly sat up in bed, forced awake by the unexpected occurrence. She took in her breath rapidly, looking about the room. She looked beside her, and saw that her window had a fist-sized hole in it, the winter storm blowing in through the opening. Elmina slowly got out of bed, her chest still tingling as the sole reminder of her grievous wound. She looked down at herself, and saw that the injury was gone. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but she was grateful nonetheless. She was still a bit woozy from coming out of her coma so abruptly. Elmina looked at the floor, and saw a small rock lying on the rug, the same size as the hole in the window. She quickly surmised that someone had thrown the rock through the window, but couldn’t think of anyone who’d act in such a manner towards her at the moment. Her mind was still a bit fuzzy after the coma, making it difficult to think clearly. Shaking her head, Elmina walked over towards the rock and knelt down by it. When she did, she found a piece of paper tied to the small stone with a rather shoddy length of string. She untied the string, and removed the paper from the rock. She soon saw it was a letter, and began to read the note to herself.

“Your worthless little daughter is in my hands now. If you and the stupid old bag ever want to see her again, come to the demon sanctuary south of town. Try to make it in the next decade, you pathetic, washed-up, old has-beens. But know that I’ll be having my way with the waif until you do arrive, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. I look forward to our… last meeting together. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!”

Elmina’s heart plummeted, and a horrified look crossed her features, as anguish tears began streaming from her eyes. Her grief actually caused her to lose her balance, and she toppled sidelong onto the floor, sobbing without restraint. The thought of her only daughter being abducted by Alhazad was too much for her to bear. It brought back memories of the indignities she herself suffered while under the madman’s vile influence. Alhazad had violated her, in body, mind, and soul. She couldn’t bear to think of Erica meeting a similar fate. She knew only too well what the demon did to his victims. Elmina rolled onto her front, still weeping over Erica’s disappearance. As she lied upon the cold wood floor, her sorrow gave way to anger. Her right hand closed into a fist, and slammed it on the floor. Pushing herself up with her other hand, she raised her face to the ceiling, and let out a blood-curdling scream of demonic rage.

Down in the living room, the heated discussion between Jack, Hanpan, Cecilia, and Lana was continuing, and a resolution seemed unlikely at the moment. The verbal exchanges came to a halt, however, when a loud shriek came from the second floor, causing everyone to look towards the stairwell, startled by the unexpected scream.

“Elmina!” an alarmed Jack declared, recognizing his wife’s voice.

“Elmina,” a confused Lana asked. She’d never heard Elmina sound so angry before. It almost didn’t sound like Elmina at all, and that truly frightened her. She hadn’t time to think about it, as she heard the sound of a cane striking against the wooden floor. She turned, and saw Jack hobbling towards the stairwell.

“Jack, wait up!” Cecilia called out, following the swordsman.

The doctor also made her way up the staircase, but couldn’t get around Jack, for the swordsman seemed to be acting as an obstacle, as if he wanted to reach the master bedroom first. She noticed that the warrior was also obstructing Cecilia’s progress, which really irritated her. “Men,” she said under her breath.

The three finally reached the second floor. Jack hobbled over to the room where Elmina was resting, and stopped short when the door swung open, slamming against the wall inside the room. An irate Elmina stormed out of the room, an almost possessed look in her eyes. It was the same look Jack saw when his wife came to the public announcement earlier in the day, and it frightened him. However, he hadn’t time to react, as Elmina roughly pushed him against the wall, and kept going. She also pushed Cecilia and Lana to each side of her before heading downstairs.

“Elmina!” Jack called out, but got no response. He slowly made his way past the two ladies behind him, who were still stunned by the Sword Princess’ unexpected actions. The swordsman limped downstairs as fast he could, and when he neared the bottom, he saw Elmina standing in front of the door leading outside. He gasped when he saw she wasn’t wearing her favorite ribbon in her hair.

Almost on cue, the swordswoman in front of the door turned around to face Jack, the same murderous look in her green eyes. “Don’t try to stop me,” she said in a cold voice. “This is my fight.” She then turned back and opened the front door, letting in the vicious snowstorm. Undaunted, the warrior walked out into the storm, slamming the door shut behind her.

“ELLMIIIIIINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!” Jack screamed in anguish, a grieving look on his face, as his beleaguered heart had been dealt yet another blow.

Lana was stunned silent, hearing everything that was said and done downstairs. “What on Filgaia was that all about,” she asked. “She was still unconscious last I checked.”

“I wish I knew,” Cecilia replied, also shocked by the recent turn of events. She blinked her eyes repeatedly, trying to make some sense of what had just occurred. Finally, she turned around and went into the master bedroom. She instantly shivered, feeling how much colder the room was when compared to the rest of the house. She soon saw the reason for the frigidness in the room, a broken window by the bed. Cecilia surveyed the room, and found a small rock lying on the floor. She quickly deduced that someone had thrown it through the window. She also found a length of string, and a crumpled piece of paper lying near the rock. She walked over to the paper, and reached down to pick it up. When she straightened up and smoothed out the paper, her worst fear had been realized. She saw that the paper was a ransom note, apparently written by Alhazad, even though there was no signature. Cecilia’s delicate face registered horror after reading the contents of the note. Their enemy had struck again, right where it hurt the most, their tender hearts. “Oh my Guardians,” she uttered, mortified by the news relayed in the note. “This can’t be happening. How could he?”

Around that time, Lana came into the room, and braced herself against the cold. “Cecilia, what’s happened,” she asked.

Cecilia turned her pained gaze towards the doctor. “Alhazad,” she said bitterly. “That fiend has kidnapped Erica.”

“What?!” Lana exclaimed in shock. “How can that be? How do you know?”

The mage said nothing, and held out the note to Doctor Seifer. The woman took the note, and read it thoroughly. She looked very appalled at what the letter said. She blinked a few times, somewhat confused by the wording of the note. It seemed to lack the eloquence that the man they confronted in the basement displayed. It actually sounded rather crude to the doctor. Still, the thought of Erica being kidnapped, along with the other tragedies that happened in the day, was pushing the doctor to her emotional limits.

“He just never lets up,” Cecilia continued, clenching her small fists tightly. “He’s lied to her, deceived her, and now he’s kidnapped her!” She thrust her fists down by her sides, and enraged on look on her delicate face. “That does it, Alhazad!! I have had ALL I CAN STAND FROM YOU!! I will tolerate NO MORE TRAGEDIES!! NO MORE!! I WILL DESTROY YOUR BODY, AND CRUSH YOUR ABYSMAL SOUL, SO YOU WILL NEVER HARM ANOTHER INNOCENT AGAIN!!”

The enraged Innocent One spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, her Dist Dims in her hands. She marched downstairs, moving right by s despondent Jack, and heading for the front door.

“Hey!” Jack said aloud. “Where are you going?”

“That monster has taken your daughter!” Cecilia shouted over shoulder. “I’m gonna find him and eradicate that scoundrel! Wait here until I get back.”

“Now hold on, Princess!” Jack said, limping downstairs. “If that freakshow has Erica, I’m going! She’s MY daughter! And I’m not gonna rest until she’s back home again.”

Cecilia silently growled to herself, realizing she’d made a terrible mistake. In her anger, she’d told Jack exactly what she should’ve kept secret from him. She knew he tended to act out of emotion rather than logic, and cursed herself for overlooking that fact. “Jack, you can’t go,” she said, getting a hold of her anger. “You’ll never make it with that leg.”

“I have to go,” an obstinate Jack replied. “Elmina’s already gone ahead of us! I can’t allow that… monstrosity to take her away from me again! I’m going!”

“No, you’re not,” Cecilia firmly responded, getting into a fighting stance. “Jack, don’t make me do this.”

“Hmph, what are you gonna do, girlie,” the swordsman said haughtily, amused that the sorceress was thinking about resorting to force to stop him. “Bop me with your little stick? Don’t be a fool, Cecilia. You can’t stop me.”

“Want to bet,” the mage shot back, insulted by the warrior’s attitude. “SLEEP!!” A sphere of light circled around the Innocent One, as a puffy white cloud appeared around Jack. The swordsman was taken aback, not expecting the sorceress to use such an attack. He quickly succumbed to the spell and fell backwards onto the floor, loud snoring coming from his fallen form. Cecilia covered her forehead with her hand, shaking her head lightly.

At that moment, Cecilia heard footsteps coming from the stairwell. She looked up, and saw Doctor Seifer heading downstairs, her left eyebrow quirked upwards. “What happened,” she asked.

“Jack was being difficult, so I… “

Lana actually laughed to herself. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Cecilia. You’re not the only woman who’s had to deal with stubborn men. I’m sure Elmina’s done much worse to keep him in line.” Her gaze saddened, and lowered for a moment. “Or at least,” she thought to herself, “she used to keep him in line. Jack really hasn’t changed since the war, and I know the old Elmina wouldn’t have tolerated his somewhat slovenly demeanor. And then they wonder why the knights have lost their luster.”

“Doctor Seifer,” Cecilia asked.

“It’s nothing,” the woman replied, looking up to face the sorceress. “You need to find Elmina, and fast. Otherwise, something terrible might happen to her.”

“It won’t happen,” the Innocent One asserted. “I will find her, and I will make Alhazad wish he was never born. He’s gone much too far this time. He must be stopped.”

Before Lana could answer, the front door swung open, letting the cold winter storm inside. A familiar figure passed through the doorway, and shut the door tightly behind him, pressing his back against the door.

“Rudy!” Cecilia exclaimed, surprised to see the ARMs meister again so soon.

“Did you find Erica,” Doctor Seifer asked the young man.

Rudy let out a cold sigh. “No,” he began. “But I did see someone headed towards Arctica.”

“What?”

“I followed the person towards the house, then I lost them in the storm.”

“Alhazad,” Cecilia said darkly.

“Alhazad,” Rudy asked the princess. “What do you mean? What’s going on here?”

Lana set out a grave sigh, and handed the letter to Rudy. “We found this in Elmina’s room,” she explained. “Apparently, someone attached it to a small rock, and threw it through the window.”

Rudy took the note, and read it from top to bottom. He was appalled to learn that Erica had been kidnapped, but after reading it a few more times, he began to doubt the authenticity of the letter. He recognized the speech pattern, and it wasn’t similar to their old foe’s manner of speaking. “This… this is not Alhazad’s writing.”

“What?!” Cecilia exclaimed. “How can you say that? Of COURSE it’s Alhazad! Who else would be sinister enough to kidnap Jack and Elmina’s only daughter, on top of everything else he’s done? And you saw him sneaking back into town, didn’t you?”

“I couldn’t make out who it was, Cecilia,” Rudy defensively replied. “All I could see was someone headed towards the city, towards this very house. All that snow kept me from getting a decent look at them.”

“It must be him. He destroyed Arctica during a snowstorm, when the knights would’ve been most vulnerable. This has his vile fingerprints all over it, Rudy. How can you say it’s not him?”

“Read the note again,” he said, handing the letter back to Cecilia.

The mage took the note and read it over a couple more times.

“Does that really sound like Alhazad,” Rudy asked.

“No,” Lana spoke up. “That didn’t sound anything like the man we encountered earlier today.”

“Are you saying that the ransom note is a fake,” Cecilia asked sternly.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Rudy replied. “Since when did he ever leave a ransom note? Did he leave one after he’d taken Elmina during the war? Not only that- Alhazad’s a creep. There’s no arguing that. But I don’t see the man… assaulting anyone, that’s not something he’d act on. Whatever morals he has.. he isn’t going to force himself on someone like that.”

Cecilia took her breath in sharply. She realized that she’d been so taken in by the letter, it never occurred to her that the note night have been a forgery. She exhaled through her teeth, disturbed by the fact that she might have been deceived, and with relative ease. The thought of anyone being cruel enough to perpetrate such a hoax chilled her to her very soul. She’d thought the war against evil was over, only to realize that it wasn’t the case. She shut her eyes tightly, remembering that Elmina had already been deceived, and was on her way towards certain danger.

Cecilia opened her brown eyes again, and looked straight at Rudy. “We need to go,” she said urgently, “now. Elmina’s walking into a trap!”

“Elmina,” Rudy asked in surprise. “What was she doing out of bed?”

“That rock crashing through the window must’ve woken her up. She read the note, and that was the last straw for her. She walked right out of the house, only saying that this was her fight.” She exhaled tensely from relaying the dire news. “She’s going to this sanctuary mentioned in the note, but if this is a fake, then Elmina’s in serious danger.”

Rudy growled in agitation, incensed that anyone could’ve been diabolical enough to impersonate Jack and Elmina’s old enemy, and use their own daughter’s life as bait. He clenched his fist tightly, still furious over the unscrupulous act. “Then let’s go,” he finally said. “We’ve got to save Elmina.”

“Yes,” Cecilia said in agreement. She turned her head towards Lana. “Doctor Seifer, try to look over Jack while we’re away, alright?”

“Oh boy,” she said with a sheepish smile. “I get the fun jobs.”

“Why,” Rudy asked, “what happened to Jack?”

“I’ll explain it later,” Cecilia replied. “Right now, we need to find Elmina, and fast.”

“Right, let’s go.”

Erica found herself in the middle of Arctica, which was awash in a sea of darkness. The only light visible was that of the burning houses lining the streets. The ground was all but completely coated with blood-soaked snowflakes, and the dead were seen all around her. A great crash came from the edge of town. She spun around to witness the ruined Arctica Castle collapsing in a burning heap, signifying the death of the once great kingdom. The weary Erica fell to her hands and knees from grief, aghast over the death and chaos around her.

“Yes,” a booming voice spoke, “weep over the destruction you have caused.”

Erica gasped in fright when she heard the voice, which conveyed no traceable emotion. “Wh… who… who’s there,” she asked, cringing in terror before the unseen presence. The veil of darkness vanished, and Erica beheld a shadowy nebulous form hovering before her. The shadow was easily fifty feet high, and possessed an ominous aura of unimaginable power, greater than anything Erica had ever encountered in her lifetime. The blonde woman couldn’t help but shiver, as she felt like an insect before its imposing presence. It was more powerful than any of the Guardians she’d met during her
travels, which made her even more frightened. All she could do was tremble before the veiled figure of unfathomable power before her. She didn’t even think about asking for its name, for her fear was far too great.

“This is the consequence of your cursed blood,” the voice continued. “You have brought this noble kingdom to ruin once more.”

“M… my… blood,” Erica asked hesitantly, still greatly afraid of the ominous presence before her. “Wh… what are you talking about? I never wanted Arctica to be destroyed.”

“Do not even attempt to justify yourself,” the shadow replied, clearly unimpressed by Erica’s defense. “The evidence of your evil all around you. You brought a nefarious demon into your kingdom, destroyed the castle that your family has sought to rebuild since the end of the war, killed countless innocents, and filled the hearts of every living soul in Arctica with mortal terror. And you posses the unmitigated gall to claim that never desired for your homeland to be destroyed? A land that despised and rejected you since its restoration?”

Erica cringed at what the figure had spoken. She remembered all the times she’d been harassed and rejected during her youth, and for virtually no reason. Often times, it felt like all of Arctica was against her. However, her parents always assured her it would’ve been only temporary, for once she’d succeeded her mother as Sword Princess, the heckling and harassing would’ve ceased, and the people would’ve come to respect her, and recognize her prowess and prestige. And even then, when the promises of her family seemed hollow, she bore no grudge against the land that she loved. Mustering up her courage, she got to her feet and faced the dark presence.

“Even if that is true,” she began, “I never wanted Arctica to be destroyed. I was looking forward to its rebirth. Why would I seek to ruin this land? I… love Arctica.”

“SILENCE!!” the voice shouted, shaking the very ground upon which Erica stood. “Your pathetic attempts at deception are useless! The voices of the deceased cry out to convict you! Behold the voices of your victims!”

At that moment, colorless mist began to rise up from the ground, surrounding the blonde womanin a ring of fog. The mist began to separate into several individual wisps, each roughly about human size. Erica couldn’t help but recognize the unmistakable aura of hate amongst all of them, and all of it directed at her.

One of the wisps solidified into a human form, that of Joe Thornwood. He was covered in blood, his body a mangled mess of ghastly wounds. His hateful eyes were fixed on Erica. “You are a monster!” he declared. “You killed my sister and all my friends! You deserve to die!”
“That’s not true!” Erica shot back.

“It is true!” a voice spoke from beside Joe. The wisp that spoke changed into Clark Walker, who was also mortally wounded, and vindictive. “Everyone knew you were a monster! You brought that demon into Arctica, and now everyone’s dead!”

“No!” Erica exclaimed. “No! That’s not possible!”

Another wisp took on the form of Joe’s other accomplice, Mike Kilroy, who was also a bloody mess of a person. “It is possible,” he said accusingly. “You and that evil guy killed everyone, destroyed everything! You never belonged here.”

“She doesn’t belong anywhere,” another familiar voice spoke. Erica turned to see the wounded form of Sidney Thornwood standing behind his son. “Fiends like you have no place on Filgaia. You bring disaster wherever your path leads. You’ve been associated with hooligans and scoundrels all your life. They’re the only friends you have. Pitiful.”

“They are not scoundrels!” Erica hotly retorted. “You and your whole freakin’ family are the real scoundrels, Thornwood!”

“How dare you attempt to deny your guilt, you unscrupulous harlot!” an angry, aged voice spoke. Erica turned to witness another wisp changing into Mayor Walker, who was also fatally wounded and covered in blood. “It is your family who has brought this kingdom to ruin! Have you rebuilt this land just to tear it asunder once more? Do you enjoy giving people hope, only to crush it beneath your merciless heel when they least expect it?”

“That’s baloney!” the Van Burace responded defensively. “I don’t toy with people’s lives, not like… her.”

“Say what you will,” another wisp spoke, changing into the fatally wounded form of Sheriff Donaldson. “No one behind bars will admit to being a criminal, but the evidence disproves anything they might say. We’re bringing you in, Erica Stampede.”

“Wh… wh… what? N… no, you can’t! I haven’t done anything!”

“You lying wench!” an angry female voice spoke. Erica turned and saw another wisp solidifying and taking the wounded form of Lana Seifer. “You nearly killed everyone in the castle when you destroyed it, including your father! And you claim that you haven’t done anything? Do you have any remorse for what you’ve wrought?”

“But… but,” Erica stammered, almost on the verge of tears from the accusations brought against her.

“No buts, Erica,” another familiar voice said from within the mist. One of the last remaining wisps took on the shape of Rudy Roughknight, mortally wounded and a cold, unfeeling look in his usually warm red eyes. “I can’t believe you’ve done this to us. You’ve ruined everything we’ve sought to achieve for all these years. You don’t belong in this world.”

“Rudy,” Erica moped, greatly hurt from the Holmcross’ emotionless comments. “How could you? How could you, of all people, say that?”

The ARMs meister didn’t respond, which hurt Erica’s tender soul even more. Even though he wasn’t the most talkative individual, he was never cold. The Van Burace daughter cried to herself, wondering why everyone was turning against her.
Another wisp took on the shape of Darksong, who growled menacingly at Erica. “You ungrateful creature,” a disembodied male voice spoke from his direction, though the wolf’s mouth didn’t move. “You were given a wonderful life and a loving home, and you destroyed it for no reason. I tried to warn you about that demon, but you refused to listen. You were too enamored by him to notice his malevolent evil. Or you were enthralled by his vile power, hmm?”

Erica cringed at that. She knew that she became more intrigued by Aubrey when she saw his demonstration of power in the bunker.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” the voice spoke again. “You’re just like your mother.”

“NOOO!!!” the blonde woman shouted. “I AM NOT LIKE HER!! SHE ABANDONED ME AND LEFT ME ALL ALONE!!” Erica couldn’t help but cry at that moment, remembering the emptiness she felt due to her mother’s long absence. “I hate her,” she said in between sobs.

“You’re not fooling anyone, kid,” a hard, male voice replied, one Erica knew only too well.

“Dad,” the woman sobbed, looking up to see the grievously wounded form of her father amongst the others, forming from the last wisp in the circle.

“You may say you hate her,” Jack said vindictively, a hostile look in his brown eyes, “but your vile actions say otherwise. You betrayed me, Erica, just like your mother. You let the demons in, just like she did all those years ago. You both embrace the power of darkness. I can’t believe my own flesh and blood would fall for the same demon that destroyed everything we fought to protect!” The knight gave his only a daughter a hateful glare. “But I guess I can’t deny it any more. You are Harken’s daughter.”

“Don’t say that!” Erica shot back. “I don’t know that woman! I never knew her!”

“It is futile to deny the truth,” the dark entity spoke in its booming voice. “You ARE your mother. Her blade is your blade. Her ways are your ways. Her sins… are your sins. You are as much of a demon as your mother, and you must be executed so that you can never continue her evil legacy.”

“That’s not true!” the blonde woman literally screamed. “I want no part of her, or her stupid legacy! And I’m certainly no demon! I’d never choose power over my family! Are you blind or something?!” Erica was becoming extremely agitated with the foreboding entity, and its condescending attitude towards her.

“I tire of your impertinence, demon spawn,” the shadow said in mild annoyance. “Your vile actions sufficiently ascertain your guilt, and disprove your pathetic claims of innocence. And now, Erica Stampede, I sentence you to death! People of Arctica! Destroy the demon in our midst!”

The people surrounded Erica converged on her, and pulled her to the ground, before she even had a chance to defend herself. They began punching her face and body, each wearing a gruesome countenance of hate. Even her own father was beating her mercilessly, ignoring her pleas to stop the senseless carnage. Darksong leaped atop her, and bit down hard onto her throat. The blonde woman screamed in mortal agony, aghast that her former best friend was torturing her. The beating continued for another minute, as Erica was pounded into near senselessness, her face badly bruised and beaten, with multiple cuts dripping with blood. Her shirt and overcoat were torn, revealing more bruises on her body. She knew her ribs were broken, and was having trouble breathing. Tears streamed down her bloody cheeks, heartbroken that her family and closest friends were assaulting her for virtually no plausible reason.

Erica’s limp and severely injured body was roughly brought up off the ground. She had to be held up, for she couldn’t stand on her own. Someone jerked her head up by her hair, so she had no choice but to look forward, though her sight was a reddish blur from the beating she’d endured. A shrouded figure rose up from the ground before her, clad in a hooded cloak that concealed its entire form. The figure spoke no words, but merely stood in place, chilling Erica with its cold presence.

“Finish her,” the huge shadow behind the figure spoke.

The hooded person raised its right hand towards Erica. Though almost incoherent, the blonde woman still clearly saw the figure was holding an ARM in its hand, pointed right at her head. The mysterious presence pulled the trigger, and then everything went black.

Chapter Text

Erica thrashed around in her sleep. Lashing out at the air before her, covered in sweat just like so many times before. Panic had taken over her body. Violently she kicked and jerked; dangerously close to hurting herself.

Alhazad went to gently wake her from her night terror- she would be of no use to him if she injured herself in her sleep. His firm hand went to shake her shoulder-

“ NO DON’T!!” she screamed swinging a balled up first at him, his other hand garbed her wrist before she punched him.

“ Erica!” he shouted, and her eyes shot open meeting his concerned red eyes.. She wasn’t in a bed room. Rather, she was on a dusty cave floor. A fire blazed behind her.. The blonde woman felt the sand and grit from the cave floor felt rough underneath her. She started to hyperventilate. Unable to tell what was the nightmare and what did happen- she started to panic.

“ WHAT THE FUCK!? WHAT THE FUCK!! What in the HELL is going on!?!”

“ Breathe.” Alhazad said calmly. “ We’re not talking about anything else until you get that breathing under control.” He forced her down, putting his hands firmly on her shoulders, she was no match for his strength. And quietly leaned back against the blazer.

It was then noticed she was wrapped in a soft white robe with red and green pattern on the ends, it was Alhazad’s robe. The one from her back pack. Her brown eyes darted from left to right, and she sharply turned her head.. where was she? What happened. The last thing she remembered was running away from home, into the storm. The figure of Alhazad over the mountains…

Then hearing Aubrey arguing with Darkong… She was in a cave-

“ -Breathe.” She heard Aubrey repeat himself.. no the demon Lord, Alhazad. “ You were having another night terror. You need to breathe.” He continued. Her eyes met his. He handed her an old canteen which was filled with fresh water. “ Drink this and calm yourself, breathe. No one is going to hurt you here. You’re safe under my care, breathe. Count down from 100, and then we’ll talk.”

Slowly but surely- she got her heart rate down. He put his fingers on her neck, checking her pause. “ I’m not moving these fingers until you calm down.” Alhazad said sternly. She rested her head back on the pillar, and looked up; only to see his true self cast as a shadow behind him. Unrobed, of course. Long tendril quill like hair hung out of the back of what was probably his head- she gussed, draped over his broad shoulders. Spikes stuck out of the back of his head. With armor like plates around his arms, his torso was long, where his lower body and long tail resembled that of a dragon.

So it was real, that really did happened.. It wasn’t all a dream. Her parents had lied to her, her mother really was Lady Harken, there was a warrant for he arrest no thanks to the vile bitch Lilly who tried to kill her- And she would have been dead too if it weren’t for Aubrey- who- had saved her life by taken Lilly’s own. It was an act of self defense! But all because Aubrey was who he was, who he really was, no one would believe them. Because this man, the man she loved, right here in front of her, was the infamous Quarter Knight and demon Lord Alhazad.

She closed her eyes, weeping silently. His fingers moved from her neck, and traced along her jaw line, to her lips, then his hand slipped and cupped under her chin. Pulling her face down, as if willing her to look at his human form.

“ Eyes down here, little wolf.” He said softly. He knew what she saw, and the fact her reaction wasn’t horrified but attempting to calm herself, hit in a way. He became momentarily frustrated with his own vulnerability and pushed those feelings back.

“ Where am I? Where have you taken me?” She shivered, meeting his gaze.

“ We are in the Demon Sanctuary just outside of Arctica.” He answered calmly. “ It was the only shelter that I could bring you where I wouldn’t be slaughtered, I wasn’t going to take you back home.” He paused. “ --After you foolishly ventured forth into the blizzard with little to no preparation, wearing only your long coat. Being sired by Garrett doesn’t excuse you from being so imbecilic, being so reckless and putting yourself in danger. You could have gotten yourself killed in this snow storm! What sense did you have to do that!? Why?! You could have died out there!” he lectured her.

“ I had to stop you!!!” she stammered, leaping up to hug on to him. Crying hysterically into his shoulder. The demon froze at her sudden outburst of emotion - not expecting this reaction. “ Please stop attacking Arctica, please stop this madness! Please!!”

“ Stop me from doing what?” he asked.

“ I saw your shadow as a demon!! It was you! Cackling over this storm, you created it didn’t you?? I had to find you again! You have to stop this!! Please Aubrey!! — Alhazad Please! This is insanity! You can do whatever you want to me just stop this madness!” Erica continued.

He stiffened a bit and gently pried her off of him. “ Attacked Arctica? What is this nonsense that you ‘saw me in the clouds’, what are you talking about?” concerned she was suffering from hypothermia. “ I do not have the recourses here to treat you for hypothermia.. — and you need to calm down.”

“ You were there, I saw you!” she continued. “ I didn’t hallucinate it. Thronwood and the Sheriff saw it too. We were attacked by your lightening attacks and everyone scattered!” she explained.

“ Oh for fuck’s sake,” he scoffed. “ Who ever is doing this has manipulated you as well.” Doing his best to keep his tone even. “ That was not my doing…” he paused. “ Someone else is pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes, and framing me...” his voice trailed off. “Listen, I need to be honest with you. Lest there are no more secretes between us; This prototype, this body of mine that inhabited, I created this for myself. It wasn’t to awaken or be activated until after humanity vanished from Filgaia. It’s cellular structure is similar to Rudy’s in that is living metal.”

Erica blinked for a moment. “ So you’re like a Holmcross? But more human..”

“ Something like that, it was supposed to have shape shifting capabilities but— Hmm. I haven’t figure out how, yet. Nor do I want to frighten you too much.” He chuckled nodding behind him to his shadow. “ Whether it was Justine or someone acting as Justine- who ever this was, decided on reviving me early- only to use me as distraction? And trapped in a form I despise the most unable to change, it has its uses.. But. It can still bleed like you can. Injuries from attacks will have a similar affect and I could be killed.” he was talking more to himself more than her. “ I’d just forgotten, or my memories if are foggy, at best… a lot has happened over the past few days. It didn’t seem relevent at the time.”

“ Why would they need you as an distraction? Why not just attack as themselves..? Like, why poke the bear. You’re not someone any body wants to make enemies with.. I would know, all of Filgaia knows. We know what you’re capable of-

“ Which is why they brought me back. Can’t you see? I’m the Guardian’s number on enemy, I was almost successful in killing them, I was the most dangerous among the demons. Not only was it my magic, but because of my cunning. And whoever did this- did this to keep everyone else, including the Guardians, distracted from something big.” He continued. His eyes glowed with anger. “ Whom ever the fool is that has decided to involve and manipulate me in their little game has no idea who they’re meddling with..” Looking over his shoulder to where the entrance of the cave was, it flickered with lighting from the storm.
“ But we’ll deal with that later. Right now, we need to talk if we’re going to go any further, and I have many questions I want to ask you.” He couldn’t help but smile at her. There was no point in hiding his true nature around her.

“ Okay..” She tried to sound sure of herself, but she trembled under his gaze. She nodded, trying to hide her fear. She was over joyed that she found him again, but now. There was no second guessing who he really was. She shivered and pulled his robe over her body more. Attempting to warm herself.

“ Why didn’t you finish me off?” He asked. The tone of his question came off harsh, but his eyes said otherwise. A flicker of remorse and confusion. “ I am your enemy, no one is of a greater threat to you than I was during the war, but still you stalled. You didn’t strike me down?” he continued and added. “ Because I promise you, there will never be a another opportunity like that again.”

“ Because I love you!” she became angry again at that, how dare he ask such a thing? Couldn’t he see her feelings for him. “ I’m not like my parents. I refuse to destroy what is important to me, even if you are… who you are. I won’t do it. You can do or say whatever you want to me. I refuse to lay a hand on you.” She tried to dig up her courage.

“ Is that so?” he knew she was being genuine.

“ You’re too important to me. You’re the only real friend I’ve ever had- these past few days were some of the best days of my life. I felt like I finally met someone who understands me and listens to me.” She continued.

“ I almost killed your mother, and I attempted to decapitate your father.” He turned his head to the side. She glared down at the ground. “ Look at me, dear one.”

“ After today, I want nothing to do with them.. They’re lairs... I can’t trust them. They’re judging me for loving you? They protected Harken this entire time, but won’t give you a second chance? Bullshit.” She steadied herself. “ I don’t want them dead, and I won’t let you kill them either, they are my parents. But after today… I just don’t know anymore.”

“ But, Erica, I also lied about my identity.”

“ At least your lie made sense!! You’re flipping Alhazad it’s who you ARE. You aren’t some ‘I’m better than everyone because I’m a knight’ like my mother and my dad for all his crap. And you owned it once you were exposed. You didn’t cower and lie and hide about it!! My parents still called you a liar- “Garrett” come on now, really? What else were they hiding from me?!” heartache and anguish written all over her face. “ You’re the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, I love you, I’ll never stop loving you… I’d swear on my blade to protect you from anyone that tries to hurt you, my parents, Rudy, Darksong, those vile villagers that were chasing me, all of them. Every last human alive will have to go through me to get you. I’ll take them all on if it means keeping you alive and with me. I don’t want to be alone again, not like before. And I don’t want you to be alone either.”

“ Even though I look like that?” he thumbed to his shadow behind him.

“ Yes.” She quickly replied. “ I just worry if people could see how you really look they might attack you.. I mean, you said you will be able to shape shift, so… I can see it, someday?” she asked.

“ Ehhh.” He hesitated. “ Most people, even my fellow demons were disgusted by my true form, calling me names you’ve never even heard if before.. And yet..” He was a bit taken aback, in a good way, by her genuine lover for him. “ You really mean that?”

“ Of course I do.” She smiled warmly at him. “ Other people might find you scary, but I don’t…" she remembered something, and added." But uh, those little bug minions of yours were scary though.”

“ Oh pity, so we can’t have them as pets once I’m able to create them again? I’ll even let you name them. I could conjure a glamor spell and they’d look like little cats. Six cats, in fact.”

Erica laughed at his playfulness lightening the mood. “ If we survive this. Sure.”

“ I am going to hold you to that.” He chuckled.

He then leaned in to kiss her, fully, as she met him. The warmth flushed over her body. When he pulled away his face seemed a bit softer.

“ I will admit, seeing you wrapped up in one of my old ropes is quite, hmm.” He muled over the words. “ Cute. You look so.. Vulnerable.”

There was a click. A sinister chuckle. “ It ends here. Demon.” Alhazad and Erica quickly spun around to the sound of the voice. Lilly’s voice. She was supposed to be dead, right? How come he couldn’t read her energy, there wasn’t any trace of her energy anywhere even though the woman was clearly standing behind them.

Gun fire echoed through out the chamber- and Erica fell over onto on her side, laying on the cave floor. A massive gapping wound in her mid section, blood gushed forth. Her eyes as wide in horror. Alhazad glared and snarled demoniacally, as he bent over, protecting Erica with his own body. It twisted in such a way that was far from human. He continued to growl, making sounds no human could make, redying his hand for a counter attack- his eyes burned a hellish red- “ Dark Ray!” he yelled, as the ball of dark energy flew in Lilly’s detection.

“Lazar Silhouette!” an all too familiar voice of Elmina- no Lady Harken came from afar- and the attack hit Lilly dead on, at the same time, where the supposed dead woman’s body flew into the side of the wall and collapsed. “… I had a feeling that wasn’t your penmanship, only one person talks like that..” She glared where Lilly had landed. “ Clever little dead girl tried to set up a trap for me.”

Erica whimpered staring at who she assumed was her mother. “ Mom?”.

“HEAL BLADE!” the red head cried out, a blue sword spiraled over Erica’s body. Cauterizing the wound. At least Erica wouldn’t bleed out. For now.. Erica was still gravely injured and time was running out.

Elmina or Lady Harken, it was hard to tell, looked down at her daughter, then turned her fury to the demon beside Erica’s body. Grabbing him roughly and slamming him against the blazer glaring into his eyes; “ -Save her life, take her to the laboratory just outside of Arctica. You know how to do it. And so help me Guardians- if you erase her memories, brainwash her, stuff her into that vile crystal- and do anything to betray her trust in you. I will make you wish you entire blood line never existed.” She threated him. Alhazad was stunned by the turn of events. “ Erica is the only one who’s loved you- unconditionally, who’s ever loved you. Keep her as she is. You won’t find that kind of love ever again. More than you’ll ever know.”

“ That tickled.” Lilly cackled from afar; “ You’re sad sob story of the demons and the human girl- no one cares about romance anymore. Monster- love isn’t real. I’ll prove it to you!” she laughed hysterically while loading her ARM. “ A lesson needs to be taught here.” Lilly preached. Elmina spun around, her eyes glowing green. Just like Harken’s did..

The red headed swords woman charged towards her, sending another attack at the reanimated blonde woman. Insuring it sent her flying out the opening of the cave.

“GET HER OUT OF HERE!” Elmina all but screamed as she charged at Lilly.

“ Aubrey Aubrey..!!” Erica gasped, shaking fading in and out, her voice fading “ ALHAZAD HELP ME!! I CAN’T SEE ANYTHING!!”

Alhazad snapped out of it, his attention back on the dying woman in front of him. Erica’s cry sounded so strange to his ears- calling him by his real name. Begging him to save her life.

“ I don’t want to die Alhazad! Don’t let me die! Please! Please! I don’t want to die!” her hand gripped his hand weakly. “ Al.... I.. Its cold. It’s so cold.. It’s.. I’m really cold. Al where are you?”

Alhazad scooped her up in arms, holding her close. He started to teleport, a white light engulfed them.. “ I’ve got you. It’s going to be okay. I can and will save you, I’m here. Erica? Erica!? ERICA!!!!”